January 18, 2010 - Current Activity

Microsoft Releases Security Advisory 979352

Microsoft has released Security Advisory 979352 to alert users of a vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer. The advisory indicates that exploitation of this vulnerability may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. Microsoft also indicates that it is aware of public, active exploitation of this vulnerability.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review Microsoft Security Advisory 979352 and apply the suggested workaround of setting the Internet zone security setting to High to help mitigate the risks.

Additional information about this vulnerability can be found in Vulnerability Note VU#492515.

Haitian Earthquake Disaster Email Scams and Search Engine Poisoning Campaigns

US-CERT would like to warn users of potential email scams and search engine poisoning campaigns that may circulate regarding the Haitian Earthquake disaster. The scam emails may contain links or attachments which may direct users to phishing or malware-laden websites. Fraudulent search engine results may return similar malicious web links to phishing and malware websites.

US-CERT encourages users to take the following measures to protect themselves:

• Do not follow unsolicited web links or attachments in email messages.
• Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
• Review the Federal Trade Commission's Charity Checklist.
• Verify the legitimacy of the email by contacting the organization directly through a trusted contact number. Trusted contact information can be found on the Better Business Bureau National Charity Report Index.
  
• 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.

IRS Warns of Online Scams

US-CERT is aware of reports of tax season phishing scams. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has issued a news release on its website warning consumers about potential scams. These scams are circulating via fraudulent email or other online messages appearing to come from the IRS. They attempt to convince consumers to reveal personal and financial information that can be used to gain access to bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial institutions.

US-CERT encourages users to do the following to mitigate the risks:

• Review the How to Report and Identify Phishing, E-mail Scams and Bogus IRS Web Sites document on the IRS website.
• Do not follow unsolicited web links received in email messages.
• Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document for more information on social engineering attacks.
• Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks (pdf) document for more information on social engineering attacks.

Adobe Releases Update for Adobe Reader and Acrobat

Adobe has released an update for Reader and Acrobat to address multiple vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities affect Adobe Reader 9.2 and earlier versions for Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX and Adobe Acrobat 9.2 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review Adobe Security Bulletin APBS10-02 and apply any necessary updates to help mitigate the risks. 

Oracle Releases Critical Patch Update for January 2010

Oracle has released its Critical Patch Update for January 2010 to address 24 vulnerabilities across several products. This update contains the following security fixes:

• 10 for Oracle Database
• 3 for Oracle Application Server
• 3 for the Oracle Applications Suite
• 1 for PeopleSoft and JD Edwards Suite
• 5 for the BEA Products Suite
• 2 for the Oracle Primavera Products Suite

Microsoft Releases January Security Bulletin

Microsoft has released an update to address a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows in its Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for January 2010. This vulnerability may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. An attacker may be able to exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view content rendered in a specially crafted Embedded OpenType (EOT) font in an application that can render EOT fonts. Common applications that can render EOT fonts include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office Word, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review the bulletin and apply any necessary updates to help mitigate the risks.

VMware Releases Multiple Updates for ESX

VMware has released Security Advisory VMSA-2010-0001 to address multiple vulnerabilities in ESX Service Console packages for Network Security Services (NSS) and NetScape Portable Runtime (NSPR). Exploitation of these vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information, cause a denial-of-service condition, bypass security restrictions, and compromise a vulnerable system.

Additionally, VMware has updated two previously released advisories: VMSA-2009-0014.2 that addresses vulnerabilities in the DHCP, Service Console Kernel, and Java JRE packages for ESX, and VMSA-2009-0004.3 that addresses vulnerabilities in the OpenSSL, BIND, and Vim packages for ESX.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review VMware Security Advisory VMSA-2010-0001, VMSA-2009-0014.2, and VMSA-2009-0004.3 and apply any necessary updates to help mitigate the risks.

Microsoft Releases Advance Notification for January Security Bulletin

Microsoft has issued a Security Bulletin Advance Notification indicating that its January release cycle will contain one bulletin, which will have a severity rating of Critical. The notification states that this bulletin is for Microsoft Windows. Release of this bulletin is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12.

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

PowerDNS Recursor Update Addresses Multiple Vulnerabilities

PowerDNS has released PowerDNS Recursor 3.1.7.2 to address multiple vulnerabilities. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, cause a denial-of-service condition, or spoof DNS information.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review PowerDNS Security Advisories 2010-01 and 2010-02 and apply any necessary updates.

Adobe Releases Security Update for Flash Media Server

Adobe has released a security bulletin to address multiple vulnerabilities in Flash Media Server (FMS) 3.5.2 and earlier.  These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review Adobe security bulletin APSB09-18 and apply any necessary updates to help mitigate the risks.