Exploit code attacks unpatched IE bug ( Even the new SP2-Service Pack 2-is vulnerable )

The Register ^ | Monday 10th January 2005 12:08 GMT | John Leyden

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

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Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/10/ie_sp2_exploit/

Exploit code attacks unpatched IE bug

By John Leyden (john.leyden at theregister.co.uk)

Published Monday 10th January 2005 12:08 GMT

Code which exploits a vulnerability in the HTML Help control of Internet Explorer has been released onto the net. Secunia has upgraded the vulnerability (http://secunia.com/SA12889), uncovered in October 2004, to "extremely critical". Even users who have upgraded to Windows XP SP2 with all available patches are affected, the security reporting firm warns.

"The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious people to place and execute arbitrary programs on a client system if a user visits a malicious website. It doesn't require user interaction," Thomas Kristensen, CTO, told El Reg.

"The vulnerability was originally discussed as the Drag'n'Drop vulnerability back in October 2004. The new development only utilises flaws in the HTML Help control. Users can only protect themselves by disabling ActiveX support or using another product."

Secunia has published an online test for the vulnerability here (http://secunia.com/internet_explorer_command_execution_vulnerability_test). ®

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[Tunehead54]

RE Test: Mozilla Firefox passes! ;-)

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e.g. - nothing happens when you clicl on the test line.

[Cicero]

Humm. Yes, it say's I'm vulnerable. But I'm not at all keen on disabling my ability to move files around. That's pretty basic.

[LTCJ]

Evidently something is blocking it.

Make sure your HOSTS file hasn't been hijacked.

[festus]

IE is functioning as designed. It was originally designed to be a trojan delivery mechanism.

If you don't belive produce one aspect of its behavior that contradicts my claim ;-)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I doubt it, I don't think this is a virus thingie!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I setup a browsing machine with Xandros V3, (Linux) and Firefox....works great!

I just don't use my XP machines on the Internet.

Too dangerous.

[Malsua]

Does Norton AV protect against this?

Sure it does. Just open NAV and stare at it while imagining you're at Free Republic. Just don't open Internet Exploder to view the internet and you're fine cuz NAV won't defuse that bomb.