Internet Explorer Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Report ID: MAPP-CVE20124792
Date Published: 2 January 2013
Date Revised: 2 January 2013
Criticality: Critical
Compromise Type: remote-code-execution
Compromise From: remote
Affected Product/Component:
Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 8
Summary
A vulnerability in Internet Explorer (IE) could, upon successful exploitation, allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and take complete control of a compromised system.
Detailed Description
Microsoft has reported about a remote code execution vulnerability in Internet Explorer (IE), where IE6, IE7 and IE8 are affected. The vulnerability exists when IE accesses a deleted or an improperly allocated object in memory, causing a memory corruption condition that may allow code execution in the context of a current user. There were reports on this vulnerability being used in targeted attacks via IE8.
To mitigate the impact of this vulnerability, users are advised to implement some workarounds such as applying the relevant Microsoft Fix it solution, or deploying the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET). Complete instruction is available from Microsoft Security Advisory 2794220.
F-Secure detects the files taking advantage of this vulnerability as Exploit:W32/Heartbreaker.A starting in Hydra database version 2012-12-31_02 , Trojan:W32/Agent.DUHX starting in Hydra database version 2012-12-31_01, and Trojan.Generic.KDV.819062 starting in Aquarius database version 2012-12-30_02. These database updates were released on 30 and 31 December 2012. Please allow F-Secure products to block installation of files that take advantage of this vulnerability.
CVE Reference
CVE-2012-4792
Detected Exploit
Detections
Exploit:W32/Heartbreaker.A
Trojan:W32/Agent.DUHX
Trojan.Generic.KDV.819062
Databases
Hydra database version 2012-12-31_02
Hydra database version 2012-12-31_01
Aquarius database version 2012-12-30_02
Release Dates
31 December 2012
30 December 2012
Solution
Workarounds
Microsoft recommends users to apply the following workarounds to mitigate the impact of the vulnerability until a patch is released:
- Apply the Microsoft Fix it solution, "MSHTML Shim Workaround"
- Deploy the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET)
- Set Internet security zone setting to "High"
- Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting, or disable Active Scripting
For complete instructions, please refer to Microsoft Security Advisory 2794220
Removal/Disinfection
Allow F-Secure Internet Security or F-Secure Anti-Virus to block installation of malicious files, and to remove or disinfect malicious files if found on the system.
