Patch Available for ActiveX Parameter Validation Vulnerability (278511)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
This article was previously published under Q278511

SYMPTOMS

Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2000. The vulnerability could allow enable a malicious user to potentially run code on another user's machine. For more information about this vulnerability and the patch, please view the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms00-085.asp

Frequently asked questions about this vulnerability and the patch are available at the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-085.mspx

CAUSE

This problem can occur because there is an unchecked buffer in an ActiveX control that ships as part of Windows 2000. By providing carefully-crafted parameters when invoking the control, it would be possible to cause code of the caller's choice to run by using a buffer overrun.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

DownloadDownload Q278511.exe now

To download the the file name below, click the link, click Next, and then click Download Now.

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. 
The English-language version of this fix should have the following 
file attributes or later:

   Date       Time             Size     File name     Platform
   ------------------------------------------------------------
   10/31/2000 2:42:10pm        3,584    Spmsg.dll     i386
   10/26/2000 3:22:04pm        172,304  Sysmon.ocx    i386

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 2.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/16/2004
Keywords:kbbug kbenv kberrmsg kbfix kbgraphxlinkcritical kbWin2000PreSP2Fix KB278511
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.