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| | Details |
|---|
| Vulnerability name/brief description | Security Update for Internet Explorer (960714) - MS08-078 |
| CVE/CAN name | CVE-2008-4844 |
| Vendor threat level | Critical |
| SophosLabs threat level | Critical |
| Solution | Users are advised to apply the vendor patch for MS08-078 . Sophos Anti-Virus users are advised to enable HIPS "Detect buffer overflow" option and disable the "Alert only" option to provide the highest level of protection for their systems before they apply the patch. |
| Vendor description | This security update resolves a publicly disclosed vulnerability. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. This security update also addresses the vulnerability first described in Microsoft Security Advisory 961051. |
| SophosLabs comments | This vulnerability could allow remote code execution and is already actively used in the wild. |
| SophosLabs testing result | We have conducted tests in a controlled environment and found that exploits are consistently stopped by Sophos Anti-Virus using detection Exp/Datbi-A, Mal/JsShell-B or Mal/JShell-E. Furthermore, Sophos Anti-Virus includes a buffer overflow protection module which generically prevents exploits attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Users are advised to enable Detect buffer overflow option and disable the "Alert only" option to provide the highest level of protection for their systems before Microsoft releases an offical patch. |
| Currently known exploits | SophosLabs have seen many malicious scripts attempting to exploit this vulnerability and has released detection for Exp/Datbi-A for all Sophos' products, following the initial deployment to web security platforms. UPDATE: Mal/JSShell-B and Troj/JSShell-E have also been seen to detect threats that attempt to exploit this vulnerability. |
| First sample seen | N/A |
| Discovery date | 10 December 2008 |
| Affected software | Internet Explorer 5.01
Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 6 (Service Pack 1)
Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 8 (Beta 2) |
| References | http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-078.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspx
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4844
|
| Credits | Microsoft MAPP program |
| Revisions | 18 December 2008 - added references to the security update released, description updated 16 December 2008 - added SophosLabs testing results 12 December 2008 - Updated threat level to Critical. Updated vendor description and currently known exploits fields. 11 December 2008 - initial analysis written |
Explanation of terms
Vulnerability Name/Brief Description:
Vendor identifier plus a brief description of the type of attack.
CVE/CAN Name:
Currently assigned CVE name. If a CVE name doesn't exist the CAN name will be used until a CVE has been assigned.
Vendor Threat Level:
Threat level assigned by the vendor
SophosLabs Threat Level:
Threat level assigned by SophosLabs
- LOW RISK - There is little chance of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
- MEDIUM RISK - There is a possibility of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
- HIGH RISK - There is a strong possibility of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
- CRITICAL RISK - This vulnerability will almost certainly be actively exploited by malware.
Solution:
Vendor-supplied Patch identifier and recommended solution, or workaround if applicable.
Vendor Description:
Summary of the cause and potential effect of the vulnerability provided by the vendor.
SophosLabs Comments:
SophosLabs' opinions and observations of the vulnerability in question.
SophosLabs Testing Result:
Details of completed lab testing, if applicable. Please note that the lab test environment may differ significantly from user environments.
Currently Known Exploits:
List of identities for known exploits, if applicable.
First Sample Seen:
Date of the first sample seen by SophosLabs.
Discovery Date:
Date of the earliest known publically disclosed advisory.
Affected Software:
Vulnerable platforms and software versions.