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MS09-063

 
Threat LevelLow threatDamageHighDistributionNot widespread

Effects 

MS09-063 is not categorized as virus, worm, Trojan or backdoor. It is a critical vulnerability in the web services on Devices API (WSDAPI) on Windows 2008/Vista computers, which allows arbitrary code to be remotely executed in the vulnerable computer.

Web Services on Devices allows a Windows client to access remote devices, such as PDAs, computer peripherals, consumer electronics and their associated services across a network.

This vulnerability occurs because the WSD API does not correctly validate specific headers of a received WSD message.

If exploited successfully, MS09-063 allows hackers to gain remote control of the affected computer with the same privileges as the logged on user. If this user had administrator rights, the hacker could take complete control of the system: create, modify or delete files, install programs, create new user accounts, etc.

This vulnerability is usually exploited by sending a specially crafted message to the WSD TCP ports 5357 or 5358 on a vulnerable system.

 

If you have a Windows 2008/Vista computer, it is recommended to download and apply the security patch for this vulnerability. Click here to access the web page for downloading the patch.