Microsoft has released a patch for the critical vulnerability in its software
Experts at SophosLabs™, Sophos's global network of virus, spyware and spam analysis centers, have urged companies to apply a Microsoft security patch which reportedly fixes a critical vulnerability in the way Internet Explorer handles Vector Markup Language (VML). Microsoft has released a fix a week after it was discovered that hackers were using the exploit to install malicious code onto innocent users' computers.
Microsoft has broken its regular monthly patch release cycle to publish a fix for the vulnerability ahead of schedule.
Sophos researchers have seen a number of different pieces of malware being distributed via the flaw, including Troj/Dloadr-ANO, Troj/Goldun-EC, and Troj/Goldun-EE.
"Microsoft's developers were smarting after it was discovered that hackers were actively exploiting a vulnerability for which they had no fix, so it's good news for all Windows users that a patch is now available," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "Computer users should ensure their PCs are protected with this patch at the earliest possible opportunity."
Home users of Microsoft Windows can visit update.microsoft.com to have their systems scanned for critical Microsoft security vulnerabilities.
Sophos suggests 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 that companies protect their computers with a consolidated solution to thwart the virus, spyware and spam threats and secure their desktops and servers with automatically updated anti-virus protection, the latest security patches, and properly configured firewalls.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.