Microsoft patches IE hole

Posted by   Virus Bulletin on   Sep 27, 2006

VML fix released only a week after flaw exploited.

Microsoft has released a patch for the widely publicised and much exploited security hole in its Internet Explorer browser, a little over a week after the flaw was brought to its attention by security researchers, the press and Windows users.

The VML vulnerability has been causing widespread worry, with numerous sites carrying malicious code designed to exploit the hole to drop malware onto users' computers, and security admins trying to keep up with the rash of dangers presented. An unofficial patch was released by security taskforce ZERT at the end of last week, and now Microsoft has broken its traditional monthly 'Patch Tuesday' patching cycle to bring out an emergency fix.

'This is good news for Windows users everywhere,' said John Hawes, Technical Consultant at Virus Bulletin. 'Microsoft's record on fixing bugs has taken a lot of flak, and it seems they have realised a monthly release isn't good enough when faced with fast-acting dangers like this one. Perhaps the unofficial patch released a few days after the vulnerability was unveiled helped spur them into action.'

Several other patches, including one for Publisher flagged as 'critical', were issued along with the IE fix. The updates should be available from the Windows Update site, here (note: may not work if you are not using Internet Explorer). Information on the patches issued is in the Microsoft Security Bulletin, here.

Posted on 27 September 2006 by Virus Bulletin

 Tags

twitter.png
fb.png
linkedin.png
hackernews.png
reddit.png

 

Latest posts:

VBSpam tests to be executed under the AMTSO framework

VB is excited to announce that, starting from the Q3 test, all VBSpam tests of email security products will be executed under the AMTSO framework.

In memoriam: Prof. Ross Anderson

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of Professor Ross Anderson a few days ago.

In memoriam: Dr Alan Solomon

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of industry pioneer Dr Alan Solomon earlier this week.

New paper: Nexus Android banking botnet – compromising C&C panels and dissecting mobile AppInjects

In a new paper, researchers Aditya K Sood and Rohit Bansal provide details of a security vulnerability in the Nexus Android botnet C&C panel that was exploited in order to gather threat intelligence, and present a model of mobile AppInjects.

New paper: Collector-stealer: a Russian origin credential and information extractor

In a new paper, F5 researchers Aditya K Sood and Rohit Chaturvedi present a 360 analysis of Collector-stealer, a Russian-origin credential and information extractor.

We have placed cookies on your device in order to improve the functionality of this site, as outlined in our cookies policy. However, you may delete and block all cookies from this site and your use of the site will be unaffected. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to Virus Bulletin's use of data as outlined in our privacy policy.