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AL-2006.0081 -- [Win] -- Unpatched Microsoft Internet Explorer VML Buffer Overflow Being Actively Exploited

Date: 20 September 2006
References: AL-2006.0082  AU-2006.0034  ESB-2006.0697  

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

                       AL-2006.0081 -- AUSCERT ALERT
                                   [Win]
         Unpatched Microsoft Internet Explorer VML Buffer Overflow
                         Being Actively Exploited
                             20 September 2006

===========================================================================

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

Product:              Microsoft Internet Explorer
Publisher:            US-CERT
Operating System:     Windows
Impact:               Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access:               Remote/Unauthenticated
CVE Names:            CVE-2006-3866

Original Bulletin:    http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/416092

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                     National Cyber Alert System

               Technical Cyber Security Alert TA06-262A


Microsoft Internet Explorer VML Buffer Overflow

   Original release date: September 19, 2006
   Last revised: --
   Source: US-CERT


Systems Affected

     * Microsoft Windows
     * Microsoft Internet Explorer


Overview

   Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) fails to properly handle Vector
   Markup Language (VML) tags. This creates a buffer overflow
   vulnerability that could allow a remote attacker to execute
   arbitrary code.


I. Description

   Microsoft Internet Explorer contains a stack buffer overflow in
   code that handles VML. More information is available in
   Vulnerability Note VU#416092 and Microsoft Security Advisory
   (925568).

   Note that this vulnerability is being exploited.


II. Impact

   By convincing a user to open a specially crafted HTML document,
   such as a web page or HTML email message, a remote attacker could
   execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running IE.


III. Solution

   We are currently unaware of a complete solution to this
   problem. Until an update is available, consider the following
   workarounds.

Disable VML support in IE

   Microsoft Security Advisory (925568) suggests the following
   techinques to disable VML support in IE:

     * Un-register Vgx.dll on Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP
       Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003
       Service Pack 1

     * Modify the Access Control List on Vgx.dll to be more restrictive

     * Configure Internet Explorer 6 for Microsoft Windows XP Service
       Pack 2 to disable Binary and Script Behaviors in the Internet
       and Local Intranet security zone

   Disabling VML support may cause web sites that use VML to function
   improperly.

Render email as plain text

   Microsoft Security Advisory (925568) suggests configuring Microsoft
   Outlook and Outlook Express to render email messages in plain text
   format.

Do not follow unsolicited links

   In order to convince users to visit their sites, attackers often
   use URL encoding, IP address variations, long URLs, intentional
   misspellings, and other techniques to create misleading links. Do
   not click on unsolicited links received in email, instant messages,
   web forums, or internet relay chat (IRC) channels. Type URLs
   directly into the browser to avoid these misleading links. While
   these are generally good security practices, following these
   behaviors will not prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in
   all cases, particularly if a trusted site has been compromised or
   allows cross-site scripting.


IV. References

     * Vulnerability Note VU#416092 -
       <http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/416092>

     * Securing Your Web Browser-
       <http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/securing_browser/#Internet_Ex
       plorer>

     * Microsoft Security Advisory (925568) -
       <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/925568.mspx>

     * CVE-2006-3866 -
       <http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3866>


 ____________________________________________________________________

   The most recent version of this document can be found at:

     <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-262A.html>
 ____________________________________________________________________

   Feedback can be directed to US-CERT Technical Staff. Please send
   email to <cert@cert.org> with "TA06-262A Feedback VU#416092" in the
   subject.
 ____________________________________________________________________

   For instructions on subscribing to or unsubscribing from this
   mailing list, visit <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/signup.html>.
 ____________________________________________________________________

   Produced 2006 by US-CERT, a government organization.

   Terms of use:

     <http://www.us-cert.gov/legal.html>
 ____________________________________________________________________


Revision History

   Sep 19, 2006: Initial release

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===========================================================================
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)
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                On call after hours for member emergencies only.
===========================================================================

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