iDefense Security Advisory 12.14.10: Microsoft Internet Explorer HTML Object Memory Corruption Vulnerability

iDefense Security Advisory 12.14.10
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Dec 14, 2010

I. BACKGROUND

Internet Explorer is a graphical web browser developed by Microsoft
Corp. that has been included with Microsoft Windows since 1995. For
more information about Internet Explorer, please the visit following
website:

http://www.microsoft.com/ie/

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft
Corp.'s Internet Explorer could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary
code with the privileges of the current user. <BR> <BR> T During the
instantiation of multiple ActiveX Controls, a particular object is
created along with multiple references that point to the object. The
object can be destroyed and its associated references removed. However,
a reference can incorrectly remain pointing to the object. The invalid
object resides in uninitialized memory, which the attacker may control
to gain arbitrary execution control.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation of this vulnerability results in the execution of arbitrary
code with the privileges of the user viewing the web page. To exploit
this vulnerability, a targeted user must load a malicious webpage
created by an attacker. An attacker typically accomplishes this via
social engineering or injecting content into a compromised, trusted
site.

IV. DETECTION

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8 are vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Microsoft suggested workarounds can be found in Microsoft Security
Bulletin MS10-090.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

Microsoft Corp. has released patches which address this issue.
Information about downloadable vendor updates can be found by clicking
on the URLs shown.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS10-090.mspx

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2010-3340 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/&#41;, which standardizes names for
security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

03/24/2010 Initial Vendor Notification
03/24/2010 Initial Vendor Reply
12/14/2010 Coordinated Public Disclosure

IX. CREDIT

This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Aniway.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2010 iDefense, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
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