iDefense Security Advisory 12.14.10 - Remote exploitation of a memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. During the instantiation of multiple ActiveX Controls, a particular object is created along with multiple references that point to the object. The object can be destroyed and its associated references removed. However, a reference can incorrectly remain pointing to the object. The invalid object resides in uninitialized memory, which the attacker may control to gain arbitrary execution control. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8 are vulnerable.
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iDefense Security Advisory 12.14.10
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Dec 14, 2010
I. BACKGROUND
Internet Explorer is a graphical web browser developed by Microsoft
Corp. that has been included with Microsoft Windows since 1995. For
more information about Internet Explorer, please the visit following
website:
http://www.microsoft.com/ie/
II. DESCRIPTION
Remote exploitation of a memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft
Corp.'s Internet Explorer could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary
code with the privileges of the current user. <BR> <BR> T During the
instantiation of multiple ActiveX Controls, a particular object is
created along with multiple references that point to the object. The
object can be destroyed and its associated references removed. However,
a reference can incorrectly remain pointing to the object. The invalid
object resides in uninitialized memory, which the attacker may control
to gain arbitrary execution control.
III. ANALYSIS
Exploitation of this vulnerability results in the execution of arbitrary
code with the privileges of the user viewing the web page. To exploit
this vulnerability, a targeted user must load a malicious webpage
created by an attacker. An attacker typically accomplishes this via
social engineering or injecting content into a compromised, trusted
site.
IV. DETECTION
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8 are vulnerable.
V. WORKAROUND
Microsoft suggested workarounds can be found in Microsoft Security
Bulletin MS10-090.
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
Microsoft Corp. has released patches which address this issue.
Information about downloadable vendor updates can be found by clicking
on the URLs shown.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS10-090.mspx
VII. CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2010-3340 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for
security problems.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
03/24/2010 Initial Vendor Notification
03/24/2010 Initial Vendor Reply
12/14/2010 Coordinated Public Disclosure
IX. CREDIT
This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Aniway.
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X. LEGAL NOTICES
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