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A  U  S  C  E  R  T                                           A  L  E  R  T

                       AL-2008.0130 -- AUSCERT ALERT
                                   [Win]
        Microsoft prerelease announcement of out of band patch for
                 critical Internet Explorer vulnerability
                             17 December 2008

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        AusCERT Alert Summary
        ---------------------

Product:              Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2
                      Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
                      Microsoft Internet Explorer 6
                      Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1
                      Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4
Operating System:     Windows
Impact:               Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access:               Remote/Unauthenticated
CVE Names:            CVE-2008-0971
Member content until: Thursday, December 18 2008

Ref:                  AL-2008.0126

Original Bulletin:    
  http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-dec.mspx

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OVERVIEW:

        Microsoft is intending to release an out of band critical security
        patch for Internet Explorer on Thursday 18 September 2008.

        Further details are available from the Microsoft web site [1,2].


DETAILS:

        Microsoft is intending to release patches to resolve a critical
        flaw in multiple versions of Internet Explorer that can allow for
        remote code execution.

        Note for Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2:

        "This vulnerability was reported after the release of Windows
        Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2. Customers running Windows Internet 
        Explorer 8 Beta 2 are encouraged to download and apply the update
        to their systems when the bulletin is published."[1]


MITIGATION:

        AusCERT advises that system administrators consider patching their
        machines as quickly as possible following their release by Microsoft.
        Bulletin information will be available from the Microsoft web site
        soon after their release, and AusCERT will be distributing bulletins
        to AusCERT members as soon as the release is confirmed.
  
        This flaw is known to be actively exploited so it is critical that 
        system administrators apply patches or mitigate vulnerabilities as
        quickly as possible.


REFERENCES:

        [1] http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-dec.mspx
        [2] http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspx

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You have received this e-mail bulletin as a result of your organisation's
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NOTE: Third Party Rights
This security bulletin is provided as a service to AusCERT's members.  As
AusCERT did not write the document quoted above, AusCERT has had no control
over its content. The decision to follow or act on information or advice
contained in this security bulletin is the responsibility of each user or
organisation, and should be considered in accordance with your organisation's
site policies and procedures. AusCERT takes no responsibility for consequences
which may arise from following or acting on information or advice contained in
this security bulletin.

NOTE: This is only the original release of the security bulletin.  It may
not be updated when updates to the original are made.  If downloading at
a later date, it is recommended that the bulletin is retrieved directly
from the author's website to ensure that the information is still current.

Contact information for the authors of the original document is included
in the Security Bulletin above.  If you have any questions or need further
information, please contact them directly.

Previous advisories and external security bulletins can be retrieved from:

        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?cid=1980

If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in 
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT 
Incident Reporting Form at:

        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192

===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072

Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile:      (07) 3365 7031
Telephone:      (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
                AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours
                which are GMT+10:00 (AEST).
                On call after hours for member emergencies only.
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