Executive Risk Summary
"A vulnerability in Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory. This vulnerability affects versions 5.2, 6.0, 6.1, and 7.0 of the client."
Anticipated Attack Path
- 1. An attacker places a malicious DLL in the current working directory
- 2. The attacker creates a .rdp file in the same directory
- 3. The victim opens the .rdp file, triggering the loading of the malicious DLL
Am I Vulnerable?
- Verify the version of Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection
- Check for the presence of suspicious DLL files in the current working directory
- Apply the patch from Microsoft as described in MS11-017
Operational Audit Arsenal
Target Type Process
Target Asset mstsc.exe
Standard Path C:\Windows\System32
PowerShell
# 🛠️ Senior Engineer Universal Audit
# Target: mstsc.exe (Process)
$Targets = 'mstsc.exe'
$SearchPaths = @("$env:windir\System32", "$env:ProgramFiles", "${env:ProgramFiles(x86)}")
Get-ChildItem -Path $SearchPaths -Include $Targets -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Select-Object FullName, @{Name="Version";Expression={$_.VersionInfo.ProductVersion}}Patch Impact Forecast
Reboot Required Likely
Minimal, but may require restarting the Remote Desktop Connection client
Internal Work Notes
Apply MS11-017 patch to Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection client to prevent local privilege escalation vulnerability
Technical Intelligence & Operational Utilities • Delivered Weekly
Intelligence Sources
Official Advisoryhttp://osvdb.org/71014
Official Advisoryhttp://secunia.com/advisories/43628
Official Advisoryhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025172
Official Advisoryhttp://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA11-067A.html
Official Advisoryhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0616
MSRC Advisoryhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2011/ms11-017
Official Advisoryhttps://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A12480
Official Advisoryhttp://osvdb.org/71014
Official Advisoryhttp://secunia.com/advisories/43628
Official Advisoryhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id?1025172
Official Advisoryhttp://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA11-067A.html
Official Advisoryhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0616
MSRC Advisoryhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2011/ms11-017
Official Advisoryhttps://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A12480
Related Microsoft Threats
Data compiled from NVD, MSRC, and CISA KEV Catalog. Intelligence synthesized via AI. Scripts provided for diagnostic purposes under MIT License.