Coastal Network Status

South Carolina Information Sharing and Analysis Center

SC INFORMATION SHARING AND ANALYSIS CENTER BULLETIN

DATE ISSUED: 11/15/2012

SUBJECT: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer

OVERVIEW:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft's web browser, Internet Explorer, which could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

DESCRIPTION:

Three remote code execution vulnerabilities have been discovered in Internet Explorer. These vulnerabilities occur due to the way Internet Explorer accesses objects in memory that have not been properly initialized or deleted. These may be exploited if a user visits a web page that is specifically crafted to take advantage of the vulnerabilities. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

· Internet Explorer 9

RISK:

Government:

Large and medium government entities: High
Small government entities: High

Businesses:

Large and medium business entities: High
Small business entities: High

Home users: High

RECOMMENDATIONS:

We recommend the following actions be taken:

Apply appropriate patches provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing.
Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources.
Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.

REFERENCES:

Microsoft:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms12-071

CVE:

http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2012-1538
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2012-1539
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2012-4775

Security Focus:

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/56420
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/56421
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/56422

Please feel free to contact the SC ISAC if you have any questions or need any additional information.

The SC ISAC will provide amplifying information as it becomes available.

SC-ISAC Contact Information

Email: SC-ISAC@cio.sc.gov

SC ISAC Security Line: 803-896-1650

24-hour hotline: +1 803-896-0001

Fax: +1 803-896-0375

Postal address:

SC-ISAC

DSIT Budget and Control Board

4430 Broad River Road

Columbia S.C. 29210

SC-ISAC is available via hotline 08:00-17:00 EST (GMT-5)/ EDT (GMT-4)

Monday through Friday

Using Encryption

We strongly urge you to encrypt sensitive information sent by email. Our

public PGP key is available from:

https://sc-isac.sc.gov/public.key

NO WARRANTY

Any material furnished by SC-ISAC is furnished on an "as is" basis.

SC-ISAC makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied as to

any matter including, but not limited to, warranty of fitness for a particular

purpose or merchantability, exclusivity or results obtained from use of the

material. SC-ISAC does not make any warranty of any kind with respect to