MPSB05-04 — Potential Security Risk with Macromedia eLicensing Client Activation Code
Originally posted: June 9, 2005
Summary
Windows versions of the Macromedia installers and eLicensing client install a service with permissions that allow any member of the "Users" group to modify the service settings. This may allow local users to obtain the permissions of the "Local System" account.
This potential vulnerability does not affect products installed on machines with a single user and it cannot be exploited remotely.
Solution
A hotfix can be downloaded from the Macromedia website to protect users of affected versions of Macromedia products, listed below.
All future versions of Macromedia products will be unaffected by this issue.
Affected Software Versions
All versions of Macromedia MX 2004 products (Studio, Studio with Flash Professional, Flash Professional, Flash, FreeHand, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Director) as well as Captivate, Contribute 2, and Contribute 3 are affected.
Severity Rating
Macromedia categorizes this issue as an important update and recommends that administrators of systems supporting multiple users apply the hotfix linked below.
Download
Hotfix Updater (EXE, 1.2 MB)
Details
Windows versions of the Macromedia installers and eLicensing client install the 'Macromedia Licensing Service' as a Local System service with a service Access Control List (ACL) that allows members of the “Users” group to modify the service configuration information. This information includes the service’s “path to executable,” which identifies the command that is run when the service is started. By replacing the default setting with an alternate file or command, any logged-on user may be able to run arbitrary code in the security context of the Local System account.
Acknowledgements
Macromedia would like to thank our colleagues at Macrovision, Adobe, and Autodesk for their cooperation on this issue.
Revisions
June 9, 2005 — Bulletin first created.
Reporting Security Issues
Macromedia is committed to addressing security issues and providing customers with the information on how they can protect themselves. If you identify what you believe may be a security issue with a Macromedia product, please send an email to secure@macromedia.com. We will work to appropriately address and communicate the issue.
Receiving Security Bulletins
When Macromedia becomes aware of a security issue that we believe significantly affects our products or customers, we will notify customers when appropriate. Typically this notification will be in the form of a security bulletin explaining the issue and the response. Macromedia customers who would like to receive notification of new security bulletins when they are released can sign up for our security notification service.
For additional information on security issues at Macromedia, please visit: http://www.macromedia.com/security.
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