Here is the memo from DHS:
Department of Homeland Security (UPDATED) ADVISORY Potential For Significant Impact On Internet Operations Due To Vulnerability In Microsoft Operating Systems July 30, 2003 SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Computers using the following operating systems: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Services Edition Microsoft Windows 2000 Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows Server 2003 OVERVIEW THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) JULY 24, 2003 ADVISORY ON MICROSOFT OPERATING SYSTEMS. The DHS/ Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (IAIP) National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) is issuing this advisory in consultation with the Microsoft Corporation to heighten awareness of potential Internet disruptions resulting from the possible spread of malicious software exploiting a vulnerability in popular Microsoft Windows operating systems. DHS expects that exploits are being developed for malicious use. (UPDATE: SEVERAL WORKING EXPLOITS ARE NOW IN WIDESPREAD DISTRIBUTION ON THE INTERNET. THESE EXPLOITS PROVIDE FULL REMOTE SYSTEM LEVEL ACCESS TO VULNERABLE COMPUTERS.) Two additional factors are causing heightened interest in this situation: the affected operating systems are in wide spread use, and exploitation of the vulnerability could permit the execution of arbitrary code. DHS and Microsoft are concerned that a properly written exploit could rapidly spread on the Internet as a worm or virus in a fashion similar to Code Red or Slammer. (UPDATE: NO WORM CODE HAS BEEN REPORTED; HOWEVER, AN INTERNET-WIDE INCREASE IN SCANNING FOR VULNERABLE COMPUTERS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS REINFORCES THE URGENCY FOR UPDATING AFFECTED SYSTEMS.) IMPACT The recently announced Remote Procedure Call (RPC) vulnerability in computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems listed above could be exploited to allow the execution of arbitrary code or could cause a denial of service state in an unprotected computer. Because of the significant percentage of Internet-connected computers running Windows operating systems and using high speed connections (DSL or cable for example), the potential exists for a worm or virus to propagate rapidly across the Internet carrying payloads that might exploit other known vulnerabilities in switching devices, routers, or servers. DETAILS There is a vulnerability in the part of RPC that deals with message exchange over TCP/IP. The vulnerability results from the handling of malformed messages. This particular vulnerability affects a Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) interface with RPC, which listens on RPC enabled ports. This interface handles DCOM object activation requests that are sent by client machines (such as Universal Naming Convention (UNC) paths) to the server. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability would be able to run code with local system privileges on an affected system. The attacker would be able to take any action on the system, including installing programs, viewing changing or deleting data, or creating new accounts with full privileges. RECOMMENDATION Due to the seriousness of the RPC vulnerability, DHS and Microsoft encourage system administrators and computer owners to take this opportunity to update vulnerable versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems as soon as possible. Microsoft updates, workarounds, and additional information are available at http://microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/ bulletin/MS03-026.asp DHS and Microsoft further suggest that Internet Service Providers and network administrators consider blocking TCP and UDP ports 135, 139, and 445 for inbound connections unless absolutely needed for business or operational purposes. Advisories recommend the immediate implementation of protective actions, including best practices when available. DHS encourages recipients of this advisory to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to law enforcement or a DHS watch office. The DHS Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection watch offices may be contacted at: For private citizens and companies - Phone: (202) 323-3205, 1-888-585-9078, Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Online: http://www.nipc.gov/incident/cirr.htm For telecommunications industry - Phone: (703) 607-4950 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For Federal agencies/departments - Phone: (888) 282-0870 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Online: https://incidentreport.fedcirc.gov Recipients located in Northern Virginia/Washington, DC may report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity directly to me. DHS intends to update this alert should it receive additional relevant information, including information provided to it by the user community. Based on this notification, no change to the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) is anticipated; the current HSAS level is YELLOW. -----Original Message----- From: Erik Sojka [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 4:05 PM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: RE: ISP/Exchange Question I didn't see anything on whitehouse.gov or ready.gov, but my counterpart in Facilities just forwarded a BOMA memo mentioning such a warning coming from DHS. Hopefully we are all already on alert for this virus, and are already protected. It's an old issue that should have been eliminated a while ago... > -----Original Message----- > From: Steck, Herb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 5:53 PM > To: Exchange Discussions > Subject: ISP/Exchange Question > > > Has anyone heard of the Dept. of Homeland security putting > out an anouncement to ISP's to block TCP/UDP ports 135, 137, 445? > > > "The information transmitted is intended only for the person > or entity to which it is addressed and may contain > proprietary, confidential and/or legally privileged material. > Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or > taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by > persons or entities other than the intended recipient is > prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the > sender and delete the material from all computers." > > > _________________________________________________________________ > List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm > Web Interface: > http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&t ext_mode=&lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&; lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
