Emergency fixing for browser flaw by Microsoft
Microsoft is continuing its investigation of public reports of attacks
against a new vulnerability in Internet Explorer. Our investigation so
far has shown that these attacks are only against Windows Internet
Explorer 7 on supported editions of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows
XP Service Pack 3, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, Windows Server
2003 Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and
Windows Server 2008.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4,
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, Microsoft Internet
Explorer 6, and Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 on all supported
versions of Microsoft Windows are potentially vulnerable.
REDMOND, Wash. – Microsoft Corp. is taking the unusual step of issuing
an emergency fix for a security hole in its Internet Explorer software
that has exposed millions of users to having their computers taken over
by hackers.
The “zero-day” vulnerability, which came to light last week, allows
criminals to take over victims’ machines simply by steering them to
infected Web sites; users don’t have to download anything for their
computers to get infected, which makes the flaw in Internet Explorer’s
programming code so dangerous. Internet Explorer is the world’s most
widely used Web browser.
Microsoft said it plans to ship a security update, rated “critical,” for
the browser on Wednesday. People with the Windows Update feature
activated on their computers will get the patch automatically.
Thousands of Web sites already have been compromised by criminals
looking to exploit the flaw. The bad guys have loaded malicious code
onto those sites that automatically infect visitors’ machines if they’re
using Internet Explorer and haven’t employed a complicated series of
workarounds that Microsoft has suggested.
Microsoft said it has seen attacks targeting the flaw only in Internet
Explorer 7, the most widely used version, but has cautioned that all
other current editions of the browser are vulnerable.
Microsoft rarely issues security fixes for its software outside of its
regular monthly updates. The company last did it in October, and a year
and half before that.
Source:
Microsoft’s security advisory:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/961051.mspx
Related Posts
Related posts:
Important Computer Shortcuts to Save your Vital Time | iTechnoMax Says:
[...] mouse clicks but for sure these shortcuts or tips will help you work efficiently in Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer and Windows allover. Windows Desktop Shortcuts Microsoft Word Shortcuts Microsoft Excel Shortcuts [...]
Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:45 pm