Patch Tuesday Analysis for May 2011

For bulletin MS11-035, servers are only affected if the WINS service is installed. This service allows NetBIOS devices to communicate on the network. NetBIOS is not considered as secure as DNS and this may be the time to upgrade older devices that are still using it. If you have servers running WINS, give those the first attention. The LMHOSTS file can be used as a substitute for WINS (in some cases) but it’s easy to forget that if a LMHOSTS file exists it must be updated every time the IP address changes.
 
Two remote code vulnerabilities in PowerPoint are addressed with MS11-036. There are mitigating factors and some workarounds but ultimately the user must be relied on to not open untrusted PowerPoint files. Experience has shown that the user cannot be relied on to do the right thing. We recommend patching after testing.
 
BulletinExploit Types
/Technologies Affected		System Types AffectedExploit
details public?
/ Being exploited?		Comprehensive,
practical
workaround
available?		MS severity ratingProducts AffectedNotesRandy's recommendation
MS11-035

2524426		Arbitrary code

/ WINS		Servers
No/NoNoCritical Server 2003
Server 2008
Server 2008 R2
 Patch after testing
MS11-036

2545814		Arbitrary code

/ Powerpoint		Workstations
Terminal Servers
No/NoNoImportant Office XP
Office 2003
Office 2007
Office 2004 for Mac
Office 2008 for Mac
Office Converter Pack
 Patch after testing

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