Security Intelligence Operations

An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. If that user holds privileges equal to those of the Administrator account, the attacker could execute code that could result in a complete system compromise.

This vulnerability is due to an implementation error in the copy constructor of a specific Document Object Module (DOM) object in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Copies of objects may maintain references to single properties. The deletion of an object and the deallocation of its properties could trigger a double-free error, corrupting memory areas.

An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability by convincing a user to view a website containing malicious DOM objects. The creation and removal of a malicious object could cause the application to operate on uninitialized memory areas, causing memory corruption that the attacker could make use of to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.

Administrators are advised to apply the available software updates.

Users are advised to read e-mail messages in plain text.

Users are advised not to open e-mail messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in e-mail messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.

Users should verify that unsolicited links are safe to follow.

Administrators are advised to use an unprivileged account when browsing the Internet.

Administrators may consider configuring Internet Explorer to prompt users before running Active Scripting or ActiveX controls by setting the Internet and Local Intranet security zone settings to High. Alternately, administrators could disable Active Scripting and ActiveX controls in these security zones.

Administrators may consider using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) scan tool to identify common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on system endpoints.

Microsoft customers can obtain updates directly by using the links in the security bulletin. These updates are also distributed by Windows automatic update features and available on the Windows Update website. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Systems Management Server, and System Center Configuration Manager can assist administrators in deploying software updates.