Multiple Microsoft products contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting attacks. Updates are available.
Description
Multiple Microsoft products contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting attacks.
The vulnerability is due to improper validation of HTML content.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious website. If the user views the site, the attacker could execute arbitrary script in the user's browser and gain access to sensitive browser-based information.
Microsoft has confirmed this vulnerability in a security bulletin and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 is affected when running on the following systems:
Windows XP SP3 and prior
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2003 SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition SP2 and prior
Windows Vista SP2 and prior
Windows Vista x64 Edition SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems SP2 and prior
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems SP2 and
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems
The following additional Microsoft applications are also affected:
Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003 SP3 and prior
Microsoft Office InfoPath 2007 SP2 and prior
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 32-bit and 64-bit editions SP2 and prior
Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 32-bit and 64-bit editions SP2 and prior
IntelliShield Analysis
The vulnerability has limited potential for exploitation, because the vulnerability relies on the identification of a website using the tostaticHTML API. Attackers could only launch cross-site scripting attacks that take advantage of the vulnerability against certain websites.
An exploit would also rely on user interaction. The attacker must convince a user to view a malicious website, likely by providing a link to the user in an e-mail message.
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created an Applied Mitigation Bulletin to address vulnerabilities that Microsoft disclosed in the June 2010 security bulletin release. This Cisco bulletin, which assists administrators in identifying or mitigating these vulnerabilities using Cisco devices, is available at the following link: Cisco Applied Mitigation Bulletin: Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for June 2010
Vendor Announcements
Microsoft has released security bulletins at the following links: MS10-035 and MS10-039
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to conduct cross-site scripting attacks to execute arbitrary script code in the user's browser, allowing the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information that could include authentication cookies or recently submitted data.
Technical Information
The vulnerability is due to improper validation of HTML content. Content processed by the tostaticHTML API could allow arbitrary script execution in an affected site.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious website. When viewed, the site could pass malicious content from the user's browser to another site using the tostaticHTML API. If successful, the attacker could execute arbitrary script code in the user's browser in the security context of the third-party site.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
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 are advised to read e-mail in plain text.
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.
Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.
Patches/Software
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.
Signatures
Cisco Systems Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) 6.0
Home Edition Base, SP1, SP2, SP3 | Professional Edition Base, SP1, SP2, SP3 | Professional x64 (AMD/EM64T) Base, SP2
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