Risk
High
Date Discovered
February 13, 2007
Description
The Microsoft HTML Help ActiveX control is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability.
An attacker could exploit this issue to execute code in the context of the user visiting a malicious web page.
Recommendations
Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To reduce the impact of latent vulnerabilities, always run non-administrative software as an unprivileged user with minimal access rights.Do not follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by enticing a user to visit a malicious website. Do not follow links provided by sources of questionable integrity.Set web browser security to disable the execution of script code or active content.
Since a successful exploit of this issue allows malicious code to execute in web clients, consider disabling support for script code and active content within the client browser. Note that this mitigation tactic might adversely affect legitimate websites that rely on the execution of browser-based script code.Do not open email messages from unknown or untrusted individuals.
Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through HTML email messages. Never accept any email from sources of questionable integrity.
Microsoft has released fixes to address this issue. Please see the references for more information.
Credits
HD Moore of the Metasploit Project is credited with discover of this issue.
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secure@symantec.com.
Disclaimer
The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.
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