Microsoft Security Patches July 2009

Microsoft has released the Security Bulletin Summary for July 2009 which contains security patches for several Microsoft products. Six security patches are provided by Microsoft this time that include three rated critical and three rated important. Affected programs are Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft ISA Server, Virtual PC and Virtual Server. Affected operating systems are pretty much all from Windows 2000 onwards although the severity rating varies depending on the operating system.

Critical ratings for Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 are usually important or moderate ratings for Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 thanks to the increased security in those operating systems. Downloads are already available from various official sources including Automatic Updates, Windows Update or Microsoft Update.

• MS09-028 - Vulnerabilities in the Embedded OpenType Font Engine Could Allow Remote Code Execution (961371) - This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Windows component, Embedded OpenType (EOT) Font Engine. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution. An attacker who successfully exploited either of these vulnerabilities could take complete control of an affected system remotely. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
• MS09-029 - Vulnerabilities in Microsoft DirectShow Could Allow Remote Code Execution (971633) - This security update resolves one publicly disclosed vulnerability and two privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft DirectShow. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user opened a specially crafted QuickTime media file. An attacker who successfully exploited any of these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
• MS09-030 - Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits (973346) - This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability that is currently being exploited. The vulnerability in Microsoft Video ActiveX Control could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page with Internet Explorer, instantiating the ActiveX control. This ActiveX control was never intended to be instantiated in Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
• MS09-031 - Vulnerability in Virtual PC and Virtual Server Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (969856) - This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Virtual PC and Microsoft Virtual Server. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could execute arbitrary code and take complete control of an affected guest operating system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
• MS09-032 -Vulnerability in Microsoft ISA Server 2006 Could Cause Elevation of Privilege (970953) - This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker successfully impersonates an administrative user account for an ISA server that is configured for Radius One Time Password (OTP) authentication and authentication delegation with Kerberos Constrained Delegation.
• MS09-033 - Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Publisher Could Allow Remote Code Execution (969516) - This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Office Publisher that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Publisher file. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

It is recommended to install the Microsoft Security Patches as soon as possible to close the security vulnerabilities.