Coastal Network Status

South Carolina Information Sharing and Analysis Center

SC INFORMATION SHARING AND ANALYSIS CENTER BULLETIN

DATE ISSUED: 2/12/2013

SUBJECT: Vulnerability in Vector Markup Language (VML) Could Allow Remote Code Execution

OVERVIEW:

A vulnerability has been discovered within Microsoft's web browser, Internet Explorer, that could allow for remote code execution. Specifically, the vulnerability is caused by the way the Vector Markup Language (VML) is processed by Internet Explorer. VML is an XML-based language used to produce and render vector graphics. Successful exploitation could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges of the logged-on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the affected user, an attacker could then install programs, view, change, or delete data; or create accounts with full user rights.

DESCRIPTION:

A vulnerability has been discovered within Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser that could allow for remote code execution within the context of the currently logged in user, potentially allowing for full control of a given system. This vulnerability is triggered when specially crafted data attempts to access VML allocated buffers.

Vector Markup Language is an XML-based language used to produce and render vector graphics akin to canvas-based graphic suites. Even though VML use has decreased with the advent of SVG, it is still supported within Internet Explorer.

Exploitation of this vulnerability is possible if a user visits or is directed to a website delivering a specially crafted webpage. Additionally, an attacker could send a user a specially crafted Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE-rendering engine.

Successful exploitation could result in an attacker gaining the save privileges of the logged-on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the affected user, an attacker could then install programs, view, change, or delete data; or create accounts with full user rights.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 8
Internet Explorer 9
Internet Explorer 10

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 immediately after appropriate testing.
Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources.
Run all software as a non-privileged user to diminish the effects of the attack.
Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones.

REFERENCES:

Microsoft:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms13-010

CVE:

http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2013-0030

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