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| Microsoft has described the vulnerability as
critical |
Experts at Sophos have advised companies and home users to
ensure they are protected against a security hole found in
Microsoft Internet Explorer, which has already been exploited by an
internet worm.
The vulnerability - known various as the Internet Explorer
Elements flaw, the IFRAME vulnerability, or the Bofra exploit - has
been rated as "critical", Microsoft's highest severity level, and
can leave the popular Internet Explorer web browser open to
attack.
In early November, the Bofra worm exploited the
vulnerability. (See
how the Bofra worms spread using the vulnerability in Microsoft
Internet Explorer). There were also reports of some website
banner ads directing users to websites which contained malicious
code using the vulnerability.
"This security patch is particularly important, because we
already know that virus writers and hackers have exploited this
flaw to try and compromise innocent people's computers," said
Graham Cluley,
senior technology consultant for Sophos. "All companies using
Microsoft software need to get into the habit of regularly applying
security patches, or they will be leaving themselves open to
attack."
Microsoft has posted details of the vulnerability and made
available an update which is reported to fix the issue on its
website.
"Home users are particularly open to attack, because they have
often not downloaded the latest security patches from Microsoft,
and may not be running a personal firewall," continued Cluley. "All
computer users should ensure their systems are properly
protected."
Home users of Microsoft Windows can visit windowsupdate.microsoft.com to have their systems
scanned for critical Microsoft security vulnerabilities.
Sophos recommends that every IT manager responsible for security
should consider subscribing to vulnerability mailing lists such as
that operated by Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/notify.mspx.
Sophos continues to recommend computer users practise safe computing as well as running
up-to-date anti-virus software.
More than 100 million users in 150 countries rely on Sophos as the best protection against complex threats and data loss. Sophos is committed to providing security and data protection solutions that are simple to manage, deploy and use and that deliver the industry's lowest total cost of ownership. Sophos offers award-winning encryption, endpoint security, web, email, and network access control solutions backed by SophosLabs - a global network of threat intelligence centers. With more than two decades of experience, Sophos is regarded as a leader in security and data protection by top analyst firms and has received many industry awards.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.