July 01, 2008 - Current Activity

Apple Releases Security Updates

Apple has released Mac OS X v10.5.4, Security Update 2008-004, and Safari 3.1.2 for Mac OS X 10.4.11 to address multiple vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities affect a number of applications. These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, bypass security restrictions, or cause a denial-of-service condition.

US-CERT encourages users to review Apple Article HT2163 and HT2165 and apply any necessary updates.

Microsoft Releases Security Advisory

Microsoft has released a Security Advisory to address public reports of the Microsoft Windows Server Update Services failing to properly deploy updates within certain environments. Environments that rely on this service for updates may be unable to deploy updates to client systems, some of which may be security related.

US-CERT encourages users and system administrators to review Microsoft Security Advisory 954960 and apply the workarounds listed in the advisory.

US-CERT will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Cisco Releases Security Advisory

Cisco has released a Security Advisory to address multiple vulnerabilities in the Unified Communications Manager. The first vulnerability is due to improper handling of malformed data in the Computer Telephony Integration Manager service. Exploitation of this vulnerability may allow an attacker to cause a denial-of-service condition. The second vulnerability is due to improper access restrictions in the Real-Time Information Server Data Collector process. This vulnerability may allow an attacker to bypass security restrictions and obtain sensitive information which may be used for further attacks.

US-CERT encourages users to review Cisco Security Advisory cicso-sa-20080625-cucm and apply any necessary updates or fixes.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Cross-Domain Vulnerability

US-CERT is aware of publicly available proof-of-concept code for a new vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6. This vulnerability may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary script in the context of another domain. This could allow an attacker to take a variety of actions, including stealing cookies, hijacking a web session, or stealing authentication credentials. At this time, Internet Explorer 7 does not appear to be affected by this issue.

US-CERT  strongly encourages users to upgrade to Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 and follow the best security practices as outlined in the Securing Your Web Browser document to help mitigate the risk. Additional information about this vulnerability can be found in the Vulnerability Notes Database.

US-CERT will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Microsoft Releases Security Advisory

Microsoft has released a Security Advisory to alert users of a recent increase in SQL injection attacks targeting websites using Microsoft ASP and ASP.NET. These attacks target websites that have inadequate secure coding practices for accessing and manipulating data stored in relational databases. If an attack is successful, an attacker may be able to compromise the website and inject arbitrary content or obtain sensitive data. Any user visiting the compromised site may be unknowingly redirected to a malicious website that could attempt install malicious code onto the system.

US-CERT encourages website administrators to review Microsoft Security Advisory 954462 and implement any necessary Suggested Actions listed in the advisory. Users are encouraged to implement best security practices as described in the Securing Your Web Browser document to help mitigate the risk.

Adobe Releases Security Bulletin

Adobe has released a Security Update for Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.1.2 to address a vulnerability that may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition. The Security Bulletin also indicates there are reports of active exploitation.

US-CERT encourages users to review Adobe Security Bulletin APSB08-15 and apply any necessary updates.

Critical Vulnerability in Microsoft Bluetooth Stack

Microsoft has released an update to a previously released security bulletin affecting the Bluetooth stack in Windows. This vulnerability may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability is addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-030.

US-CERT encourages users to review the updated MS08-030 and apply the patches and workarounds to help mitigate the risks.

Apple Releases Safari v3.1.2 for Windows

Apple has released Safari v3.1.2 for Windows to address multiple vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities include the following:

• an out-of-bounds memory read when handling BMP and GIF files that may lead to the disclosure of memory contents
• an issue in the way Windows desktop handles executables, which may allow arbitrary code execution
• an issue in the way Safari handles executables from websites in a trusted Internet Explorer zone, which may lead to automatic arbitrary code execution
• a memory corruption issue in the handling of JavaScript arrays by WebKit that may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution

New Phishing/Storm Worm Variant Spreading

US-CERT has received reports of new phishing activity, some of which has been linked to Storm Worm. The latest activity is centered around messages related to the recent earthquake in China and the upcoming Olympic Games. This Trojan is spread via an unsolicited email message that contains a link to a malicious website. This website contains a video that, when opened, may run the executable file "beijing.exe" to infect the user's system with malicious code.

Reports, including a posting by Symantec, indicate that the following subject lines are being used. Please note that subject lines can change at any time.

• The most powerful quake hits China
• Countless victims of earthquake in China
• Death toll in China is growing
• Recent earthquake in china took a heavy toll
• Recent china earthquake kills million
• China is paralyzed by new earthquake
• Death toll in China exceeds 1000000
• A new powerful disaster in China
• A new deadly catastrophe in China
• 2008 Olympic Games are under the threat
• China's most deadly earthquake
  

• Install anti-virus software, and keep its virus signature files up-to-date.
• Do not follow unsolicited web links received in email messages.
• Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks document for more information on social engineering attacks.

Cisco Releases Security Advisory

Cisco has released a Security Advisory to address a vulnerability in several of their Intrusion Prevention System platforms. This vulnerability is caused by an unspecified error in the handling of Jumbo Ethernet frames received on a Gigabit network interface configured for inline mode. Exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to trigger a kernel panic and cause a denial-of-service condition or bypass security restrictions.

At this time, Cisco has not yet released software updates to resolve this issue; however, they have provided a workaround in their advisory. US-CERT encourages users to review Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-20080618-ips and apply any necessary workarounds until Cisco releases software updates.

US-CERT will provide additional information as it becomes available.