Typically hotfixes are released on the second Tuesday of each month as you are all well aware. Occasionally, I can personally only remember three including this one, there are out of band hotfixes released. While we don’t normally post hotfix release notifications considering this is an out of band release I wanted to let you all know about it.
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 – Critical
Vulnerability in Server Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958644)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx
Executive Summary
This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Server service. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an affected system received a specially crafted RPC request. On Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 systems, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability without authentication to run arbitrary code. It is possible that this vulnerability could be used in the crafting of a wormable exploit. Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect network resources from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter.
This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and rated Important for all supported editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in the link above.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that the Server service handles RPC requests. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information in the link above.
Recommendation
Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately.
Known Issues
None. If you experience any issues please call 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for this call.
Update Availability
The update has been pushed to all Windows Update servers and will appear on your WSUS server(s) as soon as you synchronize them. You can also download the patch for your operating system at the link posted above.
For more information please tune into the following webcast!
Title: Information Regarding an Out-of-Band Security Bulletin Release (Level 200)
Date: Friday, October 24, 2008 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032394179&Culture=en-US