I. BACKGROUND
Internet Explorer is a graphical web browser developed by Microsoft
Corp. that has been included with Microsoft Windows since 1995. For
more information about Internet Explorer, visit following URL.
http://www.microsoft.com/ie/
II. DESCRIPTION
Remote exploitation of a memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft
Corp.'s Internet Explorer web browser allows attackers to execute
arbitrary code within the context of the affected user.
When certain properties are assigned malformed values, memory can be
corrupted in a way that leads to Internet Explorer making a call to a
member function of an already released property object. If the memory
location of the released property object happens to be filled by
attacker controlled content, the attacker can execute arbitrary code.
III. ANALYSIS
Exploitation of this vulnerability would allow an attacker to execute
arbitrary code in the context of the user running Internet Explorer. In
order to be successful, a targeted user must render a maliciously
crafted web page.
On Vista, Internet Explorer 7 runs in Protected Mode, which has less
privileges than a normal user. It somewhat mitigates the impact of this
vulnerability, but does not prevent arbitrary code execution.
IV. DETECTION
iDefense testing shows that Internet Explorer 6.0 and Internet Explorer
7.0, with all available security patches as of October 22nd, 2007, are
vulnerable. Older versions of Internet Explorer may also be vulnerable.
V. WORKAROUND
Disabling active scripting for the Internet Zone can effectively
mitigate this issue.
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
Microsoft has officially addressed this vulnerability with Security
Bulletin MS08-010. For more information, consult their bulletin at the
following URL.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms08-010.mspx
VII. CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2008-0077 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which
standardizes names for
security problems.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
10/24/2007 Initial vendor notification
10/24/2007 Initial vendor response
02/12/2008 Coordinated public disclosure
IX. CREDIT
This vulnerability was reported to VeriSign iDefense by hyy.
Get paid for vulnerability research
http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php
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http://labs.idefense.com/
X. LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc.
Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in
any way without the express written consent of iDefense. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
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permission.
Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing
based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in
an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor
the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage
arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.
