MS02-006: An Unchecked Buffer in the SNMP Service May Allow Code to Run

If you install the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) service and the service is running on your computer, a malicious user may be able to cause a denial-of-service attack on your computer and the malicious user may be able to run code on your computer.

NOTES:

• The SNMP service is neither installed nor running by default in any version of Windows.
• Standard firewall hardware and software products and practices recommend that you block the port over which SNMP runs (User Datagram Protocol [UDP] ports 161 and 162). If you use these practices or recommendations, this vulnerability may only occur if the malicious user and computer are on an intranet.
• Standard security practices recommend that you do not use SNMP except on trusted networks because the SNMP protocol, by design, provides minimal security.

This vulnerability occurs because the component of the SNMP agent service that parses incoming commands contains an unchecked buffer. If a malicious user sends a specific request, the malicious user could cause a buffer overrun attack on the type of computer that is described in the "Symptoms" section in this article.

NOTE: If you install or reinstall the SNMP service, you must reapply this update.

To resolve this vulnerability, view one of the following sections, depending on your operating system.

Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Release Date: February 15, 2002

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

Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows 2000 Advanced Server

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: The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Release Date: February 15, 2002

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: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 secure servers that prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

The English-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

Windows NT 4.0

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that you determine are at risk of attack. Evaluate the computer's physical accessibility, network and Internet connectivity, and other factors to determine the degree of risk to the computer. See the associated Microsoft Security Bulletin to help determine the degree of risk. This hotfix may receive additional testing. If the computer is sufficiently at risk, we recommend that you apply this hotfix now.

To resolve this problem immediately, download the hotfix by following the instructions later in this article or contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Release Date: March 5, 2002

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: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 secure servers that prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

The English-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: NOTE: While this patch may install on Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 or Service Pack 5, due to file dependencies, this update requires and is only supported on Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a.

Windows 98 Second Edition; Windows 98

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Release Date: Feb-15-2002

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: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 secure servers that prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

NOTE: The Windows 2000 and Windows XP Group Policy Object tool is automatically installed in the location of the default domain Group Policy object (GPO), \\Volume\Domain\Policies\GPO_GUID\Machines\Scripts\Startup. For the installation to work correctly, you must install this tool on the domain controller. This tool applies a policy so that individual computers in the domain do not automatically start the SNMP service.

Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows XP Service Pack 1.

Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows 2000 Advanced Server

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows 2000 Advanced Server. This problem was first corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 3.

Windows NT 4.0

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0.

Windows 98 Second Edition

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition.

Windows 98

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 98.

For more information about this vulnerability, visit the following Microsoft Web site: