So we all know that on the 13th July 2010 Microsoft support for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, and Windows XP Service Pack 2 came to an end.

Then on the 16th July they release a Microsoft Security Advisory 2286198 regarding a critical vulnerability that could allow remote code execution. This was then updated to  Security Bulletin and out of band patch MS10-046.

The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if the icon of a specially crafted shortcut is displayed. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability 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.

So Microsoft then release the patch for XP SP3 and above, which is fine and great. However many organisations still have XP SP2, and this is a pretty good vuln, so you really would want to patch it. So obviously the best thing to do is pull your finger out and get upto XP SP3, as these sort of issues will continue and you need to be on a supported platform. Easier said than done for some companies, but we really should put the effort in.

However….. I was speaking to a friend who will remain unamed and he informed me that his company have been issued with a patch for XP SP2 to resolve the shortcut LNK vulnerability (MS10-046). So we start talking to our Microsoft reps, and apparently they is no such thing, etc etc. So I speak to my friend some more and get the filename and hash for the file. Then speaking to Microsoft some more, still denial, but they they say, oh well there is something like that, but its for embedded systems only.  Security Update for Windows XP Embedded (KB2286198)

So I think to myself, well I will check with my friend, and he confirms the hash’s are the same, and its the same file. I look at the properties and it says its ok for XP SP2, nothing about being embedded. So I grab a spare XP SP2 machine and install it. All verifies ok, and installs. Reboot. No problem. So this should work right???

Time to test.

Below is a simple quick and dirty video of an XP SP2 VM (This was the home edition I had handy, but have also checked on professional edition with the same results) where I use the Metasploit MS10-046 exploit to get a shell, I then patch the the KB2286198 patch mention above, and guess what no more shell. I am not sure why Microsoft are not sharing this info openly, but I guess at the same time it is there to test and download. Perhaps they don’t to set an out of support patching, bite them in the arse type situation.

Apologies the video is abit blurry, but this was a quick job, I recommend going HD on it for a little more clarity.

So basically this patch seems to fix the vulnerability in Windows XP SP2. So what now?? I recommend people carry out there own testing, and then if appropriate look to apply this patch as an interim measure. However it is still important to update your systems to XP Service Pack 3 or to Windows 7, as this issues will continue, and you may not be so lucky next time.

I have not seen this information anywhere else, so please spread the word and lets get these machines fixed.