Microsoft Internet Explorer 'mstask.exe' CPU Consumption Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID:	2129
Class:	Failure to Handle Exceptional Conditions
CVE:
Remote:	No
Local:	Yes
Published:	Dec 13 2000 12:00AM
Updated:	Dec 13 2000 12:00AM
Credit:	Discovered and posted to Bugtraq on Dec 13, 2000 by Ilia Sprite <[email protected]>.
Vulnerable:	Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0.1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services - Microsoft Windows 95 - Microsoft Windows 95 - Microsoft Windows 95 - Microsoft Windows 98 - Microsoft Windows 98 - Microsoft Windows 98 - Microsoft Windows 98SE - Microsoft Windows 98SE - Microsoft Windows 98SE + Microsoft Windows ME + Microsoft Windows ME - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3 Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Server - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP2 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services SP1 - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services - Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services - Microsoft Windows 95 - Microsoft Windows 95 - Microsoft Windows 95 - Microsoft Windows 98 - Microsoft Windows 98 - Microsoft Windows 98 + Microsoft Windows ME + Microsoft Windows ME + Microsoft Windows ME - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
Not Vulnerable:

Microsoft Internet Explorer 'mstask.exe' CPU Consumption Vulnerability

Microsoft Internet Explorer ships with a task scheduler engine (mstask.exe). By default mstask.exe listens between port 1025 to 1220.

It is possible for a user to cause CPU utilization DoS. Sending malformed arguments to the mstask.exe service will cause the CPU utilization to spike. By default, mstask.exe enables connections through the local host only. A restart of the system is required in order to gain normal functionality.

Exploitation of this vulnerability could be more serious with repeated attacks.

* Conflicting reports exist, some users have been unable to reproduce this issue.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 'mstask.exe' CPU Consumption Vulnerability

Ilia Sprite <[email protected]> has provided the following exploit:

1. Start telnet.exe
2. Menu->Connect->Remote System=127.0.0.1 , Port=1026
3. Press 'Connect' button
4. When it is connects, type some random characters and press enter.
5. Close telnet.exe.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 'mstask.exe' CPU Consumption Vulnerability

Solution:
Currently the SecurityFocus staff are not aware of any vendor supplied patches for this issue. If you feel we are in error or are aware of more recent information, please mail us at: [email protected].

Microsoft Internet Explorer 'mstask.exe' CPU Consumption Vulnerability

References: