Microsoft confirms unpatched Windows vulnerability

Microsoft released a new security advisory to address a publicly disclosed vulnerability affecting Microsoft Windows’ Graphics Rendering Engine on Windows Vista, Server 2003 and Windows XP.

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the security context of the logged-on user. 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.

Although this issue does not currently meet the criteria for an out-of-band security bulletin, Microsoft is working to develop a comprehensive security update to address this vulnerability.

Affected software:

  • Windows XP Service Pack 3
  • Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2
  • Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2.

These vulnerabilities do not affect supported editions of Windows Server 2008 as indicated, when installed using the Server Core installation option.

Non-affected software:

  • Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems
  • Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems.

Don't miss