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Vulnerability: MS08-073. Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (958215)

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  Details
Vulnerability name/brief description Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (958215) - MS08-073
CVE/CAN name CVE-2008-4260 CVE-2008-4258 CVE-2008-4259 CVE-2008-4261
Vendor threat level Critical
SophosLabs threat level High
Solution Users are advised to apply the vendor patch for MS08-073  as soon as possible.
Vendor description This security update resolves four privately reported vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities 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.
SophosLabs comments

This vulnerability may result in remote code execution. The vulnerability can be exploited by serving specifically crafted web pages which are to be rendered by the vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer.  The vulnerability has been assigned a high threat level.

SophosLabs testing result N/A
Currently known exploits  At the time of writing SophosLabs has seen no samples of malware attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Should this situation change samples will be analysed and we will take action as necessary.
First sample seen N/A
Discovery date 9 December 2008
Affected software Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01  (on Windows 2000)
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1 (on Windows 2000)
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6     (on Windows XP)
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
References

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms08-073.mspx
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4258
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4259
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4260
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4261

Credits

Microsoft MAPP program

Revisions

10 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.

 

 

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