Update Available for Microsoft Internet Explorer Vulnerability

Microsoft Windows systems running

• Internet Explorer versions 6 and later (see MS04-040 for affected software and components)
• Other programs that host the WebBrowser ActiveX control

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-040 contains an update to fix a buffer overflow vulnerability in Internet Explorer.

TA04-315A describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer HTML elements that could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. Note that any program that hosts the WebBrowser ActiveX control could be affected. Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-040 contains an update to fix this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is described in further detail in VU#842160.

Impact

By convincing a user to view a specially crafted HTML document (e.g., a web page or an HTML email message), an attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. The attacker could also cause IE to crash.

Reports indicate that this vulnerability is being exploited by malicious code referred to as MyDoom.{AG,AH,AI} or Bofra.

Solution

Install an update

Install the appropriate update according to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-040. For additional information about the update, including possible adverse effects, please see Microsoft Knowledge Base articles 889293 and 889669.

Internet Explorer 6 on Windows XP SP2 is not vulnerable. Please see MS04-040 for information about affected software and components.

Appendix A. References

• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-040 - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-040.mspx
• MS04-040: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (IE 6.0 SP1) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889293
• An update rollup is available for Internet Explorer 6 SP1 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889669
• US-CERT Technical Cyber Security Alert TA04-315A - http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA04-315A.html
• Vulnerability Note VU#842160 - http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/842160
• About the Browser (Internet Explorer - WebBrowser) - http://msdn.microsoft.com/workshop/browser/overview/Overview.asp

Feedback can be directed to the authors: Will Dormann and Art Manion.

Revision History

• December 1, 2004: Initial release
  December 3, 2004: Added information about IE 6 on Windows XP SP2

  Last updated