Regarding MS12-020

["Thor \(Hammer of God\)" <thor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

PoC code for MS12-020 (RDP) is obviously floating about, and many are still 
worried about worm activity from this.

One of my criticisms about this industry is that rarely is mitigation 
information shared or discussed; people seem to concentrate on breaking and not 
preventing exploitation.  I wanted to point out that anyone who followed the 
processes or techniques in my RDP chapter of Thor's Microsoft Security Bible 
(or used the tool I wrote for RDP access) would have been automatically 
protected from this vulnerability.  That is not a point of ego, just a point of 
fact. 

If you are concerned with RDP security, as you should be, you can read most (if 
not all) of Chapter 7 for *free* using the Amazon "preview a page" feature.  If 
the RDP vulnerabilities have caused you any level of concern, then I suggest 
you do.  Like I said on the FD list, I'm far more concerned with making sure 
people get the information they need (for free of course) than I am trying to 
earn a buck - anyone who knows me knows I've always freely shared all 
information in an effort to contribute to security.

The first think I will tell you is to always use NLA (network level 
authentication).  It can be a very powerful way to obviate exploitability.  The 
rest of the information is all right there gratis for your viewing pleasure.  

If you are in a pinch and need help with any of this, I'll try my best to help 
if you want to ping me offline.   Thanks.
t


---------------------------
Timothy "Thor"  Mullen
www.hammerofgod.com

There's no need to think outside the box if you don't 
think yourself into to start with.