Threatcon - Symantec Corp.

The ThreatCon is currently at Level 2: Elevated.

Microsoft has released a new security advisory to address vulnerabilities affecting Internet Explorer browsers. The advisory has been released in response to a report published by CORE (CORE-2009-0625), which disclosed two remote file-access vulnerabilities affecting the browser. The issues can be exploited by a remote website to obtain file contents or to render script contained in a target file in the Security Zone that is assigned to the target file's source. The vulnerability is trivially exploitable and is likely to be exploited in the wild.

Details for exploitation of these issues is public. Customers are advised to read the following Microsoft Security advisory as soon as possible for workaround information.

Microsoft Security Advisory (980088)
Vulnerability in Internet Explorer Could Allow Information Disclosure
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/980088.mspx

Microsoft Internet Explorer URLMON Sniffing Cross Domain Information Disclosure Vulnerability
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/38056

ThreatCon Level 1
Low : Basic network posture
This condition applies when there is no discernible network incident activity and no malicious code activity with a moderate or severe risk rating. Under these conditions, only a routine security posture, designed to defeat normal network threats, is warranted. Automated systems and alerting mechanisms should be used.

ThreatCon Level 2
Medium : Increased alertness
This condition applies when knowledge or the expectation of attack activity is present, without specific events occurring or when malicious code reaches a moderate risk rating. Under this condition, a careful examination of vulnerable and exposed systems is appropriate, security applications should be updated with new signatures and/or rules as soon as they become available and careful monitoring of logs is recommended. Changes to the security infrastructure are not required.

ThreatCon Level 3
High : Known threat
This condition applies when an isolated threat to the computing infrastructure is currently underway or when malicious code reaches a severe risk rating. Under this condition, increased monitoring is necessary, security applications should be updated with new signatures and/or rules as soon as they become available and redeployment and reconfiguration of security systems is recommended. People should be able to maintain this posture for a few weeks at a time, as threats come and go.

ThreatCon Level 4
Extreme : Full alert
This condition applies when extreme global network incident activity is in progress. Implementation of measures in this Threat Condition for more than a short period probably will create hardship and affect the normal operations of network infrastructure.