Coastal Network Status

South Carolina Information Sharing and Analysis Center

SC INFORMATION SHARING AND ANALYSIS CENTER BULLETIN

DATE ISSUED: 12/31/2012

1/2/2013 – UPDATED

01/14/2013 – UPDATED

SUBJECT: Vulnerability in Internet Explorer Could Allow Remote Code Execution

OVERVIEW:

A vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft's web browser, Internet Explorer, which could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system. Exploitation may occur if a user visits or is redirected to a web page which is specifically crafted to take advantage of the vulnerability. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability 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. Failed exploit attempts may result in a denial-of-service condition.

~~It should be noted that there is currently no patch available for this vulnerability~~ and it is currently being exploited in the wild resulting in remote code execution.

Please also note that the MS-ISAC received reports that Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) website cfr.org had been compromised and a malicious javascript was inserted into the webpage located at "hxxp://cfr[dot]org/js/js/news_123432476.html". This malicious script was exploiting I.E. Zero day vulnerability discussed in this advisory since December 7, 2012. The CFR is currently aware of the issue and have corrected their website. if the exploitation was successful, compromised system would connect to a subdomain of ".yourtrap.com".

December 31, 2012 UPDATED OVERVIEW:

Microsoft has released a “Fix It” solution that will apply the workarounds in security advisory 2794220.

January 14, 2013 UPDATED OVERVIEW:

Microsoft has released an update for Internet Explorer that fixes this vulnerability ('CDwnBindInfo' Use-After-Free - CVE-2012-4792) in out-of-cycle bulletin MS13-008.

DESCRIPTION:

A vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft's web browser, Internet Explorer, which could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system. The vulnerability exists due to the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object in memory that has been deleted or has not been properly allocated. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user within Internet Explorer.

Exploitation may occur if a user visits or is redirected to a web page which is specifically crafted to take advantage of this vulnerability. Successful exploitation of the vulnerability 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. Failed exploit attempts may result in a denial-of-service condition.

~~It should be noted that there is currently no patch available for this vulnerability~~ and it is currently being exploited in the wild resulting in remote code execution.

Please also note that the MS-ISAC received reports that Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) website cfr.org had been compromised and a malicious javascript was inserted into the webpage located at "hxxp://cfr[Dot]org/js/js/news_123432476.html". This malicious script was exploiting I.E. Zero day vulnerability discussed in this advisory since December 7, 2012. The CFR is currently aware of the issue and have corrected their website. if the exploitation was successful, compromised system would connect to a subdomain of ".yourtrap.com".

December 31, 2012 UPDATED DESCRIPTION:

Microsoft has released a “Fix It” solution that will apply the workarounds in security advisory 2794220.

January 14, 2013 UPDATED DESCRIPTION:

Microsoft has released an update for Internet Explorer that fixes this vulnerability ('CDwnBindInfo' Use-After-Free - CVE-2012-4792) in out-of-cycle bulletin MS13-008.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 8

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:

· Upgrade to the most recent version of Internet Explorer immediately after appropriate testing.

· If upgrading Internet Explorer is not feasible, consider using an alternate browser until this vulnerability is remediated.

· Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.

· Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.

· Review your network logs for traffic to the above network indicators.

January 2, 2013 UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS:

· Consider implementing the “Fix It” solution provided by Microsoft.

January 14, 2013 UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS:

· Apply appropriate patches provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing.

REFERENCES:

Microsoft:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/advisory/2794220

http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/29/new-vulnerability-affecting-internet-explorer-8-users.aspx

http://blogs.technet.com/b/msrc/archive/2012/12/29/microsoft-releases-security-advisory-2794220.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

CVE:

http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2012-4792

NextWeb:

http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2012/12/29/criminals-use-adobe-flash-and-new-ie-vulnerability-in-targeted-attacks-ie9-and-ie10-users-are-safe/

AlienVault:

http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/just-another-water-hole-campaign-using-an-internet-explorer-0day/

January 2, 2013 UPDATED REFERENCES:

Microsoft:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2794220

January 14, 2013 UPDATED REFERENCES:

Microsoft:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms13-008

SecurityFocus:

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/57070

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