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AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2010.0044
Vulnerability in Internet Explorer Could Allow Remote Code Execution
15 January 2010
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AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: Internet Explorer 8
Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 6
Publisher: Microsoft
Operating System: Windows 7
Windows Server 2008
Windows Vista
Windows Server 2003
Windows XP
Windows 2000
Impact/Access: Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands -- Remote with User Interaction
Resolution: Mitigation
CVE Names: CVE-2010-0249
Original Bulletin:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/979352.mspx
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Microsoft Security Advisory (979352)
Vulnerability in Internet Explorer Could Allow Remote Code Execution
Published: January 14, 2010
Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary
Microsoft is investigating a report of a publicly exploited vulnerability in
Internet Explorer. This advisory contains information about which versions of
Internet Explorer are vulnerable as well as workarounds and mitigations for
this issue.
Our investigation so far has shown that Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4
on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 is not affected, and that Internet
Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, and
Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8 on supported
editions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server
2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2 are affected.
The vulnerability exists as an invalid pointer reference within Internet
Explorer. It is possible under certain conditions for the invalid pointer to
be accessed after an object is deleted. In a specially-crafted attack, in
attempting to access a freed object, Internet Explorer can be caused to allow
remote code execution.
At this time, we are aware of limited, active attacks attempting to use this
vulnerability against Internet Explorer 6. We have not seen attacks against
other affected versions of Internet Explorer. We will continue to monitor the
threat environment and update this advisory if this situation changes. On
completion of this investigation, Microsoft will take the appropriate action
to protect our customers, which may include providing a solution through our
monthly security update release process, or an out-of-cycle security update,
depending on customer needs.
We are actively working with partners in our Microsoft Active Protections
Program (MAPP) and our Microsoft Security Response Alliance (MSRA) programs to
provide information that they can use to provide broader protections to
customers. In addition, were actively working with partners to monitor the
threat landscape and take action against malicious sites that attempt to
exploit this vulnerability.
Microsoft continues to encourage customers to follow the "Protect Your
Computer" guidance of enabling a firewall, applying all software updates and
installing anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Additional information can be
found at Security at home.
Mitigating Factors
Protected Mode in Internet Explorer on Windows Vista and later Windows
operating systems limits the impact of the vulnerability.
In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that
contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition,
compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content
or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit
this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to
force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to
convince users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a
link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the
attackers Web site.
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same
user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have
fewer user rights on the system could be less affected than users who operate
with administrative user rights.
By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008
runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration.
This mode sets the security level for the Internet zone to High. This is a
mitigating factor for Web sites that you have not added to the Internet
Explorer Trusted sites zone.
By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook
Express, and Windows Mail open HTML e-mail messages in the Restricted sites
zone. The Restricted sites zone helps mitigate attacks that could try to
exploit this vulnerability by preventing Active Scripting and ActiveX controls
from being used when reading HTML e-mail messages. However, if a user clicks a
link in an e-mail message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation
of this vulnerability through the Web-based attack scenario.
Affected Software
Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 3
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and Windows Vista Service Pack 2
Windows Vista x64 Edition, Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1, and
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit
Systems Service Pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for
x64-based Systems Service pack 2
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for
Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2
Windows 7
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Service Pack 3,
and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, Windows Server
2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems, and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition
Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service
Pack 3, and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, Windows Server
2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems, and Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition
Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Windows
Vista Service Pack 2, Windows Vista x64 Edition, Windows Vista x64 Edition
Service Pack 1, and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows
Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows
Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Service Pack 3,
and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, and Windows Server
2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Windows
Vista Service Pack 2, Windows Vista x64 Edition, Windows Vista x64 Edition
Service Pack 1, and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows
Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows
Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
Non-Affected Software
Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service
Pack 4
Workarounds
Microsoft has tested the following workarounds. Although these workarounds
will not correct the underlying vulnerability, they help block known attack
vectors. When a workaround reduces functionality, it is identified in the
following section.
Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to prompt
before running ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones
You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing
your settings for the Internet security zone to prompt before running ActiveX
controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser
security to High.
To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, follow these steps:
1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click
the Internet icon.
3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets
the security level for all Web sites you visit to High.
Note: If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to
High.
Note: Setting the level to High may cause some Web sites to work incorrectly.
If you have difficulty using a Web site after you change this setting, and you
are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of
trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the
security setting set to High.
Impact of workaround.
There are side effects to prompting before running ActiveX Controls and
Active Scripting. Many Web sites that are on the Internet or on an intranet
use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For
example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls
to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting
before running ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting
that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted
frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you
trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run ActiveX Controls or
Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use
the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer
Trusted sites zone".
Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone
After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX
controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet
zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites
zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted Web sites exactly as you
do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We
recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click
the Security tab.
2. In the Select a Web content zone to specify its current security settings
box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click
to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this
zone check box.
4. In the Add this Web site to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you
trust, and then click Add.
5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.
Note: Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system.
Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and
it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.
Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to
disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone
You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing
your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active
Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, follow
these steps:
1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt
or Disable, and then click OK.
5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt
or Disable, and then click OK.
7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.
Note: Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security
zones may cause some Web sites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty
using a Web site after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is
safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will
allow the site to work correctly.
Impact of workaround.
There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many
Web sites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting
to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce
site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering
forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active
Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites.
You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each
prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes
to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these
sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet
Explorer Trusted sites zone".
Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone
After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX
controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet
zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites
zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted Web sites exactly as you
do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We
recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the
Security tab.
2. In the Select a Web content zone to specify its current security settings box,
click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to
clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone
check box.
4. In the Add this Web site to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you
trust, and then click Add.
5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.
Note: Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system.
Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and
it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update. Top of sectionTop of
section
Enable DEP for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 2 or Internet Explorer 7
This vulnerability is more difficult to exploit successfully if Data Execution
Protection (DEP) is enabled for Internet Explorer. You can enable DEP for all
versions of Internet Explorer that support DEP, using one of the following
methods:
Enable DEP for Internet Explorer 7 interactively
Local Administrators can control DEP/NX by running Internet Explorer as an
Administrator. To enable DEP, perform the following steps:
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click
Advanced.
2. Click Enable memory protection to help mitigate online attacks.
Enable DEP for Internet Explorer via automated Microsoft Fix It
See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 979352 to use the automated Microsoft Fix
it solution to enable or disable this workaround.
Impact of workaround
Some browser extensions may not be compatible with DEP and may exit
unexpectedly. If this occurs, you can disable the add-on, or revert the DEP
setting using the Internet Control Panel. This is also accessible using the
System Control panel.
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