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Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-037 - Critical

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (2699988)

Published: June 12, 2012

Version: 1.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves one publicly disclosed and twelve privately reported vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. The most severe vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Internet Explorer. An attacker who successfully exploited any of these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

This security update is rated Critical for Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer 8, and Internet Explorer 9 on Windows clients and Moderate for Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer 8, and Internet Explorer 9 on Windows servers. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The update addresses the vulnerabilities by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory, HTML sanitization using toStaticHTML, the way that Internet Explorer renders data during certain processes, and the way that Internet Explorer creates and initializes strings. For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. The majority of customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action because this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically. Customers who have not enabled automatic updating need to check for updates and install this update manually. For information about specific configuration options in automatic updating, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 294871.

For administrators and enterprise installations, or end users who want to install this security update manually, Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately using update management software, or by checking for updates using the Microsoft Update service.

See also the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, later in this bulletin.

Known Issues. None

Affected and Non-Affected Software

The following software have been tested to determine which versions or editions are affected. Other versions or editions are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Affected Software 

Operating System Component Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Updates Replaced
Internet Explorer 6
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Internet Explorer 6 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 6 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 6 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 6 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Internet Explorer 6 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Internet Explorer 7
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Internet Explorer 8
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 8 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Internet Explorer 9
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Critical KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9 (KB2699988) Remote Code Execution Moderate KB2675157 in MS12-023 replaced by KB2699988

Non-Affected Software

Operating System
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (Server Core installation)
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)

Where are the file information details?
Refer to the reference tables in the Security Update Deployment section for the location of the file information details.

How is this security update related to MS12-039?
The HTML Sanitization Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1858) described in this bulletin also affects Microsoft Lync. However, you may install only the updates that correspond to the software you have installed on your systems. If you have installed Internet Explorer, apply the required updates according to this bulletin. If you have installed Microsoft Lync, apply the required updates according to MS12-039.

How are Server Core installations affected by the vulnerabilities addressed in this bulletin?
The vulnerabilities addressed by this update do not affect supported editions of Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, when installed using the Server Core installation option. For more information on this installation option, see the TechNet articles, Managing a Server Core Installation and Servicing a Server Core Installation. Note that the Server Core installation option does not apply to certain editions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2; see Compare Server Core Installation Options.

Is Windows 8 Consumer Preview affected by any of the vulnerabilities addressed in this bulletin? Yes. The KB2699988 update is available for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview release. Customers with Windows 8 Consumer Preview are encouraged to apply the updates to their systems. The updates are only available on Windows Update.

Why does this update address several reported security vulnerabilities?
This update contains support for several vulnerabilities because the modifications that are required to address these issues are located in related files. Instead of having to install several updates that are almost the same, customers need to install this update only.

I have selected a default browser other than Internet Explorer. Do I still need to apply this update?
Internet Explorer provides application services and functionality for Windows and third-party programs that are maintained through the Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update immediately. The majority of customers have automatic updating enabled and will not need to take any action as this security update will be downloaded and installed automatically.

Does this update contain any non-securityrelated changes to functionality?
Yes. In addition to the changes that are listed in the Vulnerability Information section of this bulletin, this update includes non-security related changes for Internet Explorer 7. These changes help to ensure that there are no compatibility issues after installation of this update.

What is defense-in-depth? In information security, defense-in-depth refers to an approach in which multiple layers of defense are in place to help prevent attackers from compromising the security of a network or system.

I am using an older release of the software discussed in this security bulletin. What should I do?
The affected software listed in this bulletin have been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. For more information about the product lifecycle, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website.

It should be a priority for customers who have older releases of the software to migrate to supported releases to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. To determine the support lifecycle for your software release, see Select a Product for Lifecycle Information. For more information about service packs for these software releases, see Service Pack Lifecycle Support Policy.

Customers who require custom support for older software must contact their Microsoft account team representative, their Technical Account Manager, or the appropriate Microsoft partner representative for custom support options. Customers without an Alliance, Premier, or Authorized Contract can contact their local Microsoft sales office. For contact information, visit the Microsoft Worldwide Information website, select the country in the Contact Information list, and then click Go to see a list of telephone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager. For more information, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

The following severity ratings assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin's release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the June bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.

Table 1

Affected Software Center Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1523 HTML Sanitization Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1858 EUC-JP Character Encoding Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1872 Null Byte Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1873 Developer Toolbar Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1874
Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Not applicable Not applicable
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Not applicable Not applicable
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Not applicable Not applicable
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Not applicable Not applicable
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Not applicable Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 7 Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Not applicable
Internet Explorer 8
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Critical  Remote Code Execution Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Critical  Remote Code Execution Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Critical  Remote Code Execution Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Critical  Remote Code Execution Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Critical  Remote Code Execution Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Not applicable Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Not applicable Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Not applicable Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Not applicable Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Not applicable Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Not applicable Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Not applicable Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Not applicable Important  Information Disclosure Moderate  Information Disclosure Important  Information Disclosure Important  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Not applicable Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Not applicable Low  Information Disclosure No severity rating[1] Low  Information Disclosure Low  Remote Code Execution

 

Table 2

Affected Software Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1875 Col Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1876 Title Element Change Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1877 OnBeforeDeactivate Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1878 insertAdjacentText Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1879
Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 7 Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Not applicable Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Not applicable Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution

 

Table 3

Affected Software insertRow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1880 OnRowsInserted Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1881 Scrolling Events Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1882 Aggregate Severity Rating
Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 7
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Not applicable Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 7 Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Not applicable No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 8
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 8 in Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 9
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Critical  Remote Code Execution Critical  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Information Disclosure Critical
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate
Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Moderate  Remote Code Execution Moderate  Remote Code Execution No severity rating[1] Moderate

[1]Severity ratings do not apply to this update for the specified software because the known attack vectors for the vulnerability discussed in this bulletin are blocked in a default configuration. However, as a defense-in-depth measure, Microsoft recommends that customers of this software apply this security update.

Center Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1523

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object that has been deleted. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1523.

Mitigating Factors for Center Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1523

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.
  • Internet Explorer 9 is not affected by this vulnerability.

Workarounds for Center Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1523

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for Center Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1523

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an object that has been deleted, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

HTML Sanitization Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1858

An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer handles content using specific strings when sanitizing HTML. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted Web page that could allow information disclosure if a user viewed the Web page. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could inflict cross-site scripting on the user, allowing the attacker to execute script in the user's security context against a site that is using the toStaticHTML method.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1858.

Mitigating Factors for HTML Sanitization Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1858

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.
  • Only websites that are using toStaticHTML may potentially be affected.

Workarounds for HTML Sanitization Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1858

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Read emails in plain text

    To help protect yourself from the email attack vector, read email messages in plain text format.

    Microsoft Outlook 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2007, and Microsoft Outlook 2010 provide an option for reading email messages in plain text format. For more information about the Read all standard mail in plain text option, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 831607.

    Microsoft Office Outlook 2002 users who have applied Office XP Service Pack 1 Office XP Service Pack 2, or Office XP Service Pack 3 can enable this setting and view in plain text only those email messages that are not digitally signed or email messages that are not encrypted.

    Digitally signed email messages or encrypted email messages are not affected by the setting and may be read in their original formats. For more information about how to enable this setting in Outlook 2002, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 307594.

    Impact of workaround. Email messages that are viewed in plain text format will not contain pictures, specialized fonts, animations, or other rich content. Additionally:

    • The changes are applied to the preview pane and to open messages.
    • Pictures become attachments so that they are not lost.
    • Because the message is still in Rich Text or HTML format in the store, the object model (custom code solutions) may behave unexpectedly.

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for HTML Sanitization Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1858

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an information disclosure vulnerability. An attacker who exploited the vulnerability when a user views a webpage that uses the toStaticHTML method may execute a cross-site scripting attack on the user.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability exists in the way that the toStaticHTML API included in Internet Explorer handles content using specific strings when sanitizing HTML.

What is the toStaticHTMLmethod?
The toStaticHTML method can be used to remove event attributes and script from user input before display as HTML. For more information, see toStaticHTML method.

Is this vulnerability related to CVE-2012-1858 in MS12-039, Vulnerabilities in Lync Could Allow Remote Code Execution?
Yes, the HTML Sanitization Vulnerability, CVE-2012-1858, also affects Microsoft Lync.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could perform cross-site scripting attacks against users who are viewing a website that uses the toStaticHTML method to sanitize HTML. An attacker could then potentially run script on behalf of a victim user who is on the site.

What is cross-site scripting?
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a class of security vulnerability that can enable an attacker to inject script code into a user's session with a website. The vulnerability can affect Web servers that dynamically generate HTML pages. If these servers embed browser input in the dynamic pages that they send back to the browser, these servers can be manipulated to include maliciously supplied content in the dynamic pages. This can allow malicious script to be executed. Web browsers may perpetuate this problem through their assumptions of trusted sites and their use of cookies to maintain persistent state with the websites that they frequent. An XSS attack does not modify website content. Instead, it inserts new, malicious script that can execute at the browser in the context that is associated with a trusted server.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles HTML sanitization using the toStaticHTML method.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

EUC-JP Character Encoding Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1872

An information disclosure vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer that could allow script to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by inserting specially crafted strings in to a website, resulting in information disclosure when a user viewed the website.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1872.

Mitigating Factors for EUC-JP Character Encoding Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1872

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for EUC-JP Character Encoding Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1872

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for EUC-JP Character Encoding Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1872

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a cross-site scripting vulnerability that could lead to information disclosure.

What causes the vulnerability?
During certain processes, Internet Explorer incorrectly handles certain character sequences, leading websites to implement inadequate filtering.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could perform cross-site scripting attacks, resulting in information disclosure when a user viewed a target website.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could insert strings in to a website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. However, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit this website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the website that contains the malicious content.

What is cross-site scripting?
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a class of security vulnerability that can enable an attacker to inject script code into a user's session with a website. The vulnerability can affect Web servers that dynamically generate HTML pages. If these servers embed browser input in the dynamic pages that they send back to the browser, these servers can be manipulated to include maliciously supplied content in the dynamic pages. This can allow malicious script to be executed. Web browsers may perpetuate this problem through their assumptions of trusted sites and their use of cookies to maintain persistent state with the websites that they frequent. An XSS attack does not modify website content. Instead, it inserts new, malicious script that can execute at the browser in the context that is associated with a trusted server.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer renders data during certain processes.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Null Byte Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1873

An information disclosure vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer that could allow an attacker to gain access and read Internet Explorer's process memory. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted webpage that could allow information disclosure if a user viewed the webpage. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could view content from Internet Explorer's process memory.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1873.

Mitigating Factors for Null Byte Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1873

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for Null Byte Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1873

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Read emails in plain text

    To help protect yourself from the email attack vector, read email messages in plain text format.

    Microsoft Outlook 2003, Microsoft Outlook 2007, and Microsoft Outlook 2010 provide an option for reading email messages in plain text format. For more information about the Read all standard mail in plain text option, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 831607.

    Microsoft Office Outlook 2002 users who have applied Office XP Service Pack 1 Office XP Service Pack 2, or Office XP Service Pack 3 can enable this setting and view in plain text only those email messages that are not digitally signed or email messages that are not encrypted.

    Digitally signed email messages or encrypted email messages are not affected by the setting and may be read in their original formats. For more information about how to enable this setting in Outlook 2002, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 307594.

    Impact of workaround. Email messages that are viewed in plain text format will not contain pictures, specialized fonts, animations, or other rich content. Additionally:

    • The changes are applied to the preview pane and to open messages.
    • Pictures become attachments so that they are not lost.
    • Because the message is still in Rich Text or HTML format in the store, the object model (custom code solutions) may behave unexpectedly.

    ** **

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for Null Byte Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1873

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an information disclosure vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
During certain processes, Internet Explorer incorrectly allows attackers to access and read content from the process memory.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could view content from the Internet Explorer process memory.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.

It could also be possible to display specially crafted web content by using banner advertisements or by using other methods to deliver web content to affected systems.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer creates and initializes strings.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Developer Toolbar Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1874

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object that has been deleted. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1874.

Mitigating Factors for Developer Toolbar Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1874

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.
  • User interaction is required in order to exploit this vulnerability. The user must open the Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar when visiting a specially crafted website.

Workarounds for Developer Toolbar Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1874

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for Developer Toolbar Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1874

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an object that has been deleted, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website and open the Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1875

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object that has been deleted. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1875.

Mitigating Factors for Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1875

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1875

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1875

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an object that has been deleted, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
Yes. Microsoft is aware of limited attacks attempting to exploit the vulnerability. However, when the security bulletin was released, Microsoft had not seen any examples of proof of concept code published.

Col Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1876

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object that does not exist. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1876.

Mitigating Factors for Col Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1876

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for Col Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1876

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for Col Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1876

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an object that doesn't exist, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer accesses objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Title Element Change Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1877

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object that has been deleted. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1877.

Mitigating Factors for Title Element Change Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1877

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for Title Element Change Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1877

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for Title Element Change Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1877

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an object that has been deleted, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

OnBeforeDeactivate Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1878

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object that has been deleted. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1878.

Mitigating Factors for OnBeforeDeactivate Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1878

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for OnBeforeDeactivate Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1878

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for OnBeforeDeactivate Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1878

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an object that has been deleted, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

insertAdjacentText Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1879

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an undefined memory location. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1879.

Mitigating Factors for insertAdjacentText Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1879

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for insertAdjacentText Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1879

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for insertAdjacentText Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1879

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an undefined memory location, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer accesses objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

insertRow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1880

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object that has been deleted. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1880.

Mitigating Factors for insertRow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1880

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for insertRow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1880

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for insertRow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1880

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an object that has been deleted, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

OnRowsInserted Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1881

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way that Internet Explorer accesses an object that has been deleted. The vulnerability may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1881.

Mitigating Factors for OnRowsInserted Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1881

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for OnRowsInserted Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1881

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for OnRowsInserted Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1881

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
When Internet Explorer attempts to access an object that has been deleted, it may corrupt memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. An attacker could also embed an ActiveX control marked "safe for initialization" in an application or Microsoft Office document that hosts the IE rendering engine. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to view the attacker-controlled content. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to take action, typically by clicking a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, or by opening an attachment sent through email.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Scrolling Events Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1882

An information disclosure vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer that could allow an attacker to gain access to information in another domain or Internet Explorer zone. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted webpage that could allow information disclosure if a user viewed the webpage. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could view content from another domain or Internet Explorer zone.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2012-1882.

Mitigating Factors for Scrolling Events Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1882

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:

  • In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a webpage that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
  • By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML email messages in the Restricted sites zone. The Restricted sites zone, which disables script and ActiveX controls, helps reduce the risk of an attacker being able to use this vulnerability to execute malicious code. If a user clicks a link in an email message, the user could still be vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the web-based attack scenario.
  • By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. This mode mitigates this vulnerability. See the FAQ section for this vulnerability for more information about Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.

Workarounds for Scrolling Events Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1882

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:

  • Set Internet and Local intranet security zone settings to "High" to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting in these zones

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings for the Internet security zone to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting. You can do this by setting your browser security to High.

    To raise the browsing security level in Internet Explorer, perform the following steps:

    1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
    2. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click the Internet icon.
    3. Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to High. This sets the security level for all websites you visit to High.

    Note If no slider is visible, click Default Level, and then move the slider to High.

    Note Setting the level to High may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly even with the security setting set to High.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to blocking ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use ActiveX or Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use ActiveX Controls to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Blocking ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. If you do not want to block ActiveX Controls or Active Scripting for such sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to block ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect yourself from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

  • Configure Internet Explorer to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone

    You can help protect against exploitation of this vulnerability by changing your settings to prompt before running Active Scripting or to disable Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zone. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Click Internet, and then click Custom Level.
    4. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    5. Click Local intranet, and then click Custom Level.
    6. Under Settings, in the Scripting section, under Active Scripting, click Prompt or Disable, and then click OK.
    7. Click OK two times to return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Disabling Active Scripting in the Internet and Local intranet security zones may cause some websites to work incorrectly. If you have difficulty using a website after you change this setting, and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work correctly.

    Impact of workaround. There are side effects to prompting before running Active Scripting. Many websites that are on the Internet or on an intranet use Active Scripting to provide additional functionality. For example, an online e-commerce site or banking site may use Active Scripting to provide menus, ordering forms, or even account statements. Prompting before running Active Scripting is a global setting that affects all Internet and intranet sites. You will be prompted frequently when you enable this workaround. For each prompt, if you feel you trust the site that you are visiting, click Yes to run Active Scripting. If you do not want to be prompted for all these sites, use the steps outlined in "Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone".

    Add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone

    After you set Internet Explorer to require a prompt before it runs ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet zone and in the Local intranet zone, you can add sites that you trust to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone. This will allow you to continue to use trusted websites exactly as you do today, while helping to protect you from this attack on untrusted sites. We recommend that you add only sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone.

    To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options, and then click the Security tab.
    2. In the Select a web content zone to specify its current security settings box, click Trusted Sites, and then click Sites.
    3. If you want to add sites that do not require an encrypted channel, click to clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.
    4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL of a site that you trust, and then click Add.
    5. Repeat these steps for each site that you want to add to the zone.
    6. Click OK two times to accept the changes and return to Internet Explorer.

    Note Add any sites that you trust not to take malicious action on your system. Two in particular that you may want to add are *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and *.update.microsoft.com. These are the sites that will host the update, and it requires an ActiveX Control to install the update.

     

FAQ for Scrolling Events Information Disclosure Vulnerability - CVE-2012-1882

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an information disclosure vulnerability.

What causes the vulnerability?
Internet Explorer doesn't block scrolling events cross-domain, allowing attackers to access content from different domains.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could view content from another domain or Internet Explorer zone.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website. The attacker could also take advantage of compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements. These websites could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or in an Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems where Internet Explorer is used frequently, such as workstations or terminal servers, are at the most risk from this vulnerability.

I am running Internet Explorer for Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. Does this mitigate this vulnerability?
Yes. By default, Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 runs in a restricted mode that is known as Enhanced Security Configuration. Enhanced Security Configuration is a group of preconfigured settings in Internet Explorer that can reduce the likelihood of a user or administrator downloading and running specially crafted web content on a server. This is a mitigating factor for websites that you have not added to the Internet Explorer Trusted sites zone.

What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by blocking cross-domain scrolling events in Internet Explorer.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
Yes. This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed. It has been assigned Common Vulnerability and Exposure number CVE-2012-1882.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Security Central

Manage the software and security updates you need to deploy to the servers, desktop, and mobile systems in your organization. For more information see the TechNet Update Management Center. The Microsoft TechNet Security website provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.

Security updates are available from Microsoft Update and Windows Update. Security updates are also available from the Microsoft Download Center. You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security update."

Finally, security updates can be downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The Microsoft Update Catalog provides a searchable catalog of content made available through Windows Update and Microsoft Update, including security updates, drivers and service packs. By searching using the security bulletin number (such as, "MS07-036"), you can add all of the applicable updates to your basket (including different languages for an update), and download to the folder of your choosing. For more information about the Microsoft Update Catalog, see the Microsoft Update Catalog FAQ.

Detection and Deployment Guidance

Microsoft provides detection and deployment guidance for security updates. This guidance contains recommendations and information that can help IT professionals understand how to use various tools for detection and deployment of security updates. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 961747.

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) allows administrators to scan local and remote systems for missing security updates as well as common security misconfigurations. For more information about MBSA, visit Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.

The following table provides the MBSA detection summary for this security update.

Software MBSA
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Yes
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Yes
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 Yes
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Yes
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes

Note For customers using legacy software not supported by the latest release of MBSA, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services, please visit Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and reference the Legacy Product Support section on how to create comprehensive security update detection with legacy tools.

Windows Server Update Services

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) enables information technology administrators to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates to computers that are running the Windows operating system. For more information about how to deploy security updates using Windows Server Update Services, see the TechNet article, Windows Server Update Services.

Systems Management Server

The following table provides the SMS detection and deployment summary for this security update.

Software SMS 2003 with ITMU System Center Configuration Manager
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Yes Yes
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Yes Yes
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 Yes Yes
Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems and Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Yes Yes
Windows 7 for x64-based Systems and Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes Yes
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Yes Yes

Note Microsoft discontinued support for SMS 2.0 on April 12, 2011. For SMS 2003, Microsoft also discontinued support for the Security Update Inventory Tool (SUIT) on April 12, 2011. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to System Center Configuration Manager. For customers remaining on SMS 2003 Service Pack 3, the Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) is also an option.

For SMS 2003, the SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) can be used by SMS to detect security updates that are offered by Microsoft Update and that are supported by Windows Server Update Services. For more information about the SMS 2003 ITMU, see SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates. For more information about SMS scanning tools, see SMS 2003 Software Update Scanning Tools. See also Downloads for Systems Management Server 2003.

System Center Configuration Manager uses WSUS 3.0 for detection of updates. For more information about System Center Configuration Manager Software Update Management, visit System Center.

For more information about SMS, visit the SMS website.

For more detailed information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 910723: Summary list of monthly detection and deployment guidance articles.

Update Compatibility Evaluator and Application Compatibility Toolkit

Updates often write to the same files and registry settings required for your applications to run. This can trigger incompatibilities and increase the time it takes to deploy security updates. You can streamline testing and validating Windows updates against installed applications with the Update Compatibility Evaluator components included with Application Compatibility Toolkit.

The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) contains the necessary tools and documentation to evaluate and mitigate application compatibility issues before deploying Windows Vista, a Windows Update, a Microsoft Security Update, or a new version of Windows Internet Explorer in your environment.

Security Update Deployment

Affected Software

For information about the specific security update for your affected software, click the appropriate link:

Windows XP (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup
Deployment
Installing without user intervention Internet Explorer 6 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ WindowsXP-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 6 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ IE7-WindowsXP-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ IE7-WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ IE8-WindowsXP-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ IE8-WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /quiet
Installing without restarting Internet Explorer 6 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ WindowsXP-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 6 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ IE7-WindowsXP-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ IE7-WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ IE8-WindowsXP-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ IE8-WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /norestart
Update log file Internet Explorer 6 for all supported editions of Windows XP:\ KB2699988.log
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported editions of Windows XP:\ KB2699988-IE7.log
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported editions of Windows XP:\ KB2699988-IE8.log
Further information See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Restart Requirement
Restart required? Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update.
Hotpatching Not applicable
Removal Information Internet Explorer 6 for all supported editions of Windows XP:Use Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%$NTUninstallKB2699988$\Spuninst folder
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported editions of Windows XP:\ Use Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%\ie7updates\KB2699988-IE7\spuninst folder
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported editions of Windows XP:\ Use Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%\ie8updates\KB2699988-IE8\spuninst folder
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2699988
Registry Key Verification Internet Explorer 6 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP4\KB2699988\Filelist
Internet Explorer 6 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP Version 2003\SP3\KB2699988\Filelist
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP0\KB2699988-IE7\Filelist
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP Version 2003\SP0\KB2699988-IE7\Filelist
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows XP:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP\SP0\KB2699988-IE8\Filelist
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows XP:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows XP Version 2003\SP0\KB2699988-IE8\Filelist

Note The update for supported versions of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition also applies to supported versions of Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition.

Deployment Information

Installing the Update

When you install this security update, the installer checks whether one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

If you have previously installed a hotfix to update one of these files, the installer copies the RTMQFE, SP1QFE, or SP2QFE files to your system. Otherwise, the installer copies the RTMGDR, SP1GDR, or SP2GDR files to your system. Security updates may not contain all variations of these files. For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the installer, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 832475.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Switch Description
/help Displays the command-line options.
Setup Modes
/passive Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds.
/quiet Quiet mode. This is the same as unattended mode, but no status or error messages are displayed.
Restart Options
/norestart Does not restart when installation has completed.
/forcerestart Restarts the computer after installation and force other applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first.
/warnrestart[:x] Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the computer will restart in x seconds. (The default setting is 30 seconds.) Intended for use with the /quiet switch or the /passive switch.
/promptrestart Displays a dialog box prompting the local user to allow a restart.
Special Options
/overwriteoem Overwrites OEM files without prompting.
/nobackup Does not back up files needed for uninstall.
/forceappsclose Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down.
/log:path Allows the redirection of installation log files.
/integrate:path Integrates the update into the Windows source files. These files are located at the path that is specified in the switch.
/extract[:path] Extracts files without starting the Setup program.
/ER Enables extended error reporting.
/verbose Enables verbose logging. During installation, creates %Windir%\CabBuild.log. This log details the files that are copied. Using this switch may cause the installation to proceed more slowly.

Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841.

Removing the Update

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Switch Description
/help Displays the command-line options.
Setup Modes
/passive Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds.
/quiet Quiet mode. This is the same as unattended mode, but no status or error messages are displayed.
Restart Options
/norestart Does not restart when installation has completed
/forcerestart Restarts the computer after installation and force other applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first.
/warnrestart[:x] Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the computer will restart in x seconds. (The default setting is 30 seconds.) Intended for use with the /quiet switch or the /passive switch.
/promptrestart Displays a dialog box prompting the local user to allow a restart.
Special Options
/forceappsclose Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down.
/log:path Allows the redirection of installation log files.

Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.

  • File Version Verification

    Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

    1. Click Start, and then click Search.
    2. In the Search Results pane, click All files and folders under Search Companion.
    3. In the All or part of the file name box, type a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Search.
    4. In the list of files, right-click a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Properties.
      Note Depending on the edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
    5. On the Version tab, determine the version of the file that is installed on your system by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table.
      Note Attributes other than the file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying that the update has been applied. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.

  • Registry Key Verification

    You may also be able to verify the files that this security update has installed by reviewing the registry keys listed in the Reference Table in this section.

    These registry keys may not contain a complete list of installed files. Also, these registry keys may not be created correctly when an administrator or an OEM integrates or slipstreams this security update into the Windows installation source files.

Windows Server 2003 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup
Deployment
Installing without user intervention Internet Explorer 6 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 6 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 6 for all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-ia64-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE7-WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE7-WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE7-WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-ia64-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE8-WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE8-WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /quiet
Installing without restarting Internet Explorer 6 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 6 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 6 for all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-ia64-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE7-WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE7-WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE7-WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-ia64-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE8-WindowsServer2003-KB2699988-x86-ENU.exe /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ IE8-WindowsServer2003.WindowsXP-KB2699988-x64-ENU.exe /norestart
Update log file Internet Explorer 6 for all supported 32-bit editions, x64-based editions, and Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ KB2699988.log
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported 32-bit editions, x64-based editions, and Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ KB2699988-IE7.log
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported 32-bit editions and x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ KB2699988-IE8.log
Further information See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Restart Requirement
Restart required? Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update.
HotPatching This security update does not support HotPatching. For more information about HotPatching, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 897341.
Removal Information Internet Explorer 6 for all supported 32-bit editions, x64-based editions, and Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ Use Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the Use the Spuninst.exe utility, located in the %Windir%$NTUninstallKB2699988$\Spuninst folder
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported 32-bit editions, x64-based editions, and Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ Use Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%\ie7updates\KB2699988-IE7\spuninst folder
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported 32-bit editions and x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ Use Add or Remove Programs item in Control Panel or the Spuninst.exe utility located in the %Windir%\ie8updates\KB2699988-IE8\spuninst folder
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2699988
Registry Key Verification Internet Explorer 6 for all supported 32-bit editions, x64-based editions, and Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Server 2003\SP3\KB2699988\Filelist
Internet Explorer 7 for all supported 32-bit editions, x64-based editions, and Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Server 2003\SP0\KB2699988-IE7\Filelist
Internet Explorer 8 for all supported 32-bit editions and x64-based editions of Windows Server 2003:\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Windows Server 2003\SP0\KB2699988-IE8\Filelist

Note The update for supported versions of Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition also applies to supported versions of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

Deployment Information

Installing the Update

When you install this security update, the installer checks whether one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

If you have previously installed a hotfix to update one of these files, the installer copies the RTMQFE, SP1QFE, or SP2QFE files to your system. Otherwise, the installer copies the RTMGDR, SP1GDR, or SP2GDR files to your system. Security updates may not contain all variations of these files. For more information about this behavior, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824994.

For more information about the installer, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 832475.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Switch Description
/help Displays the command-line options.
Setup Modes
/passive Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds.
/quiet Quiet mode. This is the same as unattended mode, but no status or error messages are displayed.
Restart Options
/norestart Does not restart when installation has completed.
/forcerestart Restarts the computer after installation and force other applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first.
/warnrestart[:x] Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the computer will restart in x seconds. (The default setting is 30 seconds.) Intended for use with the /quiet switch or the /passive switch.
/promptrestart Displays a dialog box prompting the local user to allow a restart.
Special Options
/overwriteoem Overwrites OEM files without prompting.
/nobackup Does not back up files needed for uninstall.
/forceappsclose Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down.
/log:path Allows the redirection of installation log files.
/integrate:path Integrates the update into the Windows source files. These files are located at the path that is specified in the switch.
/extract[:path] Extracts files without starting the Setup program.
/ER Enables extended error reporting.
/verbose Enables verbose logging. During installation, creates %Windir%\CabBuild.log. This log details the files that are copied. Using this switch may cause the installation to proceed more slowly.

Note You can combine these switches into one command. For backward compatibility, the security update also supports the setup switches that the earlier version of the Setup program uses. For more information about the supported installation switches, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 262841.

Removing the Update

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Switch Description
/help Displays the command-line options.
Setup Modes
/passive Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds.
/quiet Quiet mode. This is the same as unattended mode, but no status or error messages are displayed.
Restart Options
/norestart Does not restart when installation has completed.
/forcerestart Restarts the computer after installation and force other applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first.
/warnrestart[:x] Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the computer will restart in x seconds. (The default setting is 30 seconds.) Intended for use with the /quiet switch or the /passive switch.
/promptrestart Displays a dialog box prompting the local user to allow a restart.
Special Options
/forceappsclose Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down.
/log:path Allows the redirection of installation log files.

Verifying that the Update Has Been Applied

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.

  • File Version Verification

    Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

    1. Click Start, and then click Search.
    2. In the Search Results pane, click All files and folders under Search Companion.
    3. In the All or part of the file name box, type a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Search.
    4. In the list of files, right-click a file name from the appropriate file information table, and then click Properties.
      Note Depending on the edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
    5. On the Version tab, determine the version of the file that is installed on your system by comparing it to the version that is documented in the appropriate file information table.
      Note Attributes other than the file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying that the update has been applied. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.

  • Registry Key Verification

    You may also be able to verify the files that this security update has installed by reviewing the registry keys listed in the Reference Table in this section.

    These registry keys may not contain a complete list of installed files. Also, these registry keys may not be created correctly when an administrator or an OEM integrates or slipstreams this security update into the Windows installation source files.

Windows Vista (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup
Deployment
Installing without user intervention Internet Explorer 7 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 7 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ IE8-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ IE8-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ IE9-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ IE9-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Installing without restarting Internet Explorer 7 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 7 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ IE8-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ IE8-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Vista:\ IE9-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Vista:\ IE9-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Further information See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Restart Requirement
Restart required? Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update.
Hotpatching Not applicable
Removal Information WUSA.exe does not support uninstall of updates. To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, click Control Panel, and then click Security. Under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2699988
Registry Key Verification Note A registry key does not exist to validate the presence of this update.

Deployment Information

Installing the Update

When you install this security update, the installer checks whether one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Supported Security Update Installation Switches

Switch Description
/?, /h, /help Displays help on supported switches.
/quiet Suppresses the display of status or error messages.
/norestart When combined with /quiet, the system will not be restarted after installation even if a restart is required to complete installation.

Note For more information about the wusa.exe installer, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 934307.

Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.

  • File Version Verification

    Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

    1. Click Start and then enter an update file name in the Start Search box.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      Note Depending on the edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
    4. You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      Note Attributes other than the file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying that the update has been applied. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
    5. Finally, you can also click the Previous Versions tab and compare file information for the previous version of the file with the file information for the new, or updated, version of the file.

Windows Server 2008 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup
Deployment
Installing without user intervention Internet Explorer 7 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 7 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 7 in all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-ia64.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2008:\ IE8-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ IE8-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2008:\ IE9-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 9 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ IE9-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Installing without restarting Internet Explorer 7 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 7 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 7 in all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ Windows6.0-KB2699988-ia64.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2008:\ IE8-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ IE8-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 9 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows Server 2008:\ IE9-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 9 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008:\ IE9-Windows6.0-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Further information See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Restart Requirement
Restart required? Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update.
Hotpatching Not applicable.
Removal Information WUSA.exe does not support uninstall of updates. To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, click Control Panel, and then click Security. Under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2699988
Registry Key Verification Note A registry key does not exist to validate the presence of this update.

Deployment Information

Installing the Update

When you install this security update, the installer checks whether one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Supported Security Update Installation Switches

Switch Description
/?, /h, /help Displays help on supported switches.
/quiet Suppresses the display of status or error messages.
/norestart When combined with /quiet, the system will not be restarted after installation even if a restart is required to complete installation.

Note For more information about the wusa.exe installer, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 934307.

Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.

  • File Version Verification

    Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

    1. Click Start and then enter an update file name in the Start Search box.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      Note Depending on the edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
    4. You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      Note Attributes other than the file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying that the update has been applied. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
    5. Finally, you can also click the Previous Versions tab and compare file information for the previous version of the file with the file information for the new, or updated, version of the file.

Windows 7 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup
Deployment
Installing without user intervention Internet Explorer 8 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows 7:\ IE9-Windows6.1-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows 7:\ IE9-Windows6.1-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Installing without restarting Internet Explorer 8 in all supported 32-bit editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows 7:\ Windows6.1-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported 32-bit editions of Windows 7:\ IE9-Windows6.1-KB2699988-x86.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows 7:\ IE9-Windows6.1-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Further information See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Restart Requirement
Restart required? Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update.
Hotpatching Not applicable
Removal Information To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, use the /Uninstall setup switch or click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2699988
Registry Key Verification Note A registry key does not exist to validate the presence of this update.

Deployment Information

Installing the Update

When you install this security update, the installer checks whether one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Supported Security Update Installation Switches

Switch Description
/?, /h, /help Displays help on supported switches.
/quiet Suppresses the display of status or error messages.
/norestart When combined with /quiet, the system will not be restarted after installation even if a restart is required to complete installation.
/warnrestart:<seconds> When combined with /quiet, the installer will warn the user before initiating restart.
/promptrestart When combined with /quiet, the installer will prompt before initiating restart.
/forcerestart When combined with /quiet, the installer will forcefully close applications and initiate restart.
/log:<file name> Enables logging to specified file.
/extract:<destination> Extracts the package contents to the destination folder.
/uninstall /kb:<KB Number> Uninstalls the security update.

Note For more information about the wusa.exe installer, see "Windows Update Stand-alone Installer" in the TechNet article, Miscellaneous Changes in Windows 7.

Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.

  • File Version Verification

    Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

    1. Click Start and then enter an update file name in the Search box.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      Note Depending on the edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
    4. You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      Note Attributes other than the file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying that the update has been applied. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
    5. Finally, you can also click the Previous Versions tab and compare file information for the previous version of the file with the file information for the new, or updated, version of the file.

Windows Server 2008 R2 (all editions)

Reference Table

The following table contains the security update information for this software. You can find additional information in the subsection, Deployment Information, in this section.

Inclusion in Future Service Packs The update for this issue will be included in a future service pack or update rollup
Deployment
Installing without user intervention Internet Explorer 8 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2699988-ia64.msu /quiet
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ IE9-Windows6.1-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet
Installing without restarting Internet Explorer 8 in all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 8 in all supported Itanium-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ Windows6.1-KB2699988-ia64.msu /quiet /norestart
Internet Explorer 9 for all supported x64-based editions of Windows Server 2008 R2:\ IE9-Windows6.1-KB2699988-x64.msu /quiet /norestart
Further information See the subsection, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
Restart Requirement
Restart required? Yes, you must restart your system after you apply this security update.
Hotpatching Not applicable
Removal Information To uninstall an update installed by WUSA, use the /Uninstall setup switch or click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then under Windows Update, click View installed updates and select from the list of updates.
File Information See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2699988
Registry Key Verification Note A registry key does not exist to validate the presence of this update.

Deployment Information

Installing the Update

When you install this security update, the installer checks whether one or more of the files that are being updated on your system have previously been updated by a Microsoft hotfix.

For more information about the terminology that appears in this bulletin, such as hotfix, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824684.

This security update supports the following setup switches.

Supported Security Update Installation Switches

Switch Description
/?, /h, /help Displays help on supported switches.
/quiet Suppresses the display of status or error messages.
/norestart When combined with /quiet, the system will not be restarted after installation even if a restart is required to complete installation.
/warnrestart:<seconds> When combined with /quiet, the installer will warn the user before initiating restart.
/promptrestart When combined with /quiet, the installer will prompt before initiating restart.
/forcerestart When combined with /quiet, the installer will forcefully close applications and initiate restart.
/log:<file name> Enables logging to specified file.
/extract:<destination> Extracts the package contents to the destination folder.
/uninstall /kb:<KB Number> Uninstalls the security update.

Note For more information about the wusa.exe installer, see "Windows Update Stand-alone Installer" in the TechNet article, Miscellaneous Changes in Windows 7.

Verifying That the Update Has Been Applied

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    To verify that a security update has been applied to an affected system, you may be able to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) tool. See the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, earlier in this bulletin for more information.

  • File Version Verification

    Because there are several editions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your system. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

    1. Click Start and then enter an update file name in the Start Search box.
    2. When the file appears under Programs, right-click the file name and click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, compare the file size with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      Note Depending on the edition of the operating system, or the programs that are installed on your system, some of the files that are listed in the file information table may not be installed.
    4. You can also click the Details tab and compare information, such as file version and date modified, with the file information tables provided in the bulletin KB article.
      Note Attributes other than the file version may change during installation. Comparing other file attributes to the information in the file information table is not a supported method of verifying that the update has been applied. Also, in certain cases, files may be renamed during installation. If the file or version information is not present, use one of the other available methods to verify update installation.
    5. Finally, you can also click the Previous Versions tab and compare file information for the previous version of the file with the file information for the new, or updated, version of the file.

Other Information

Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:

  • An anonymous researcher, working with VeriSign iDefense Labs, for reporting the Center Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1523)
  • Adi Cohen of IBM Security Systems - Application Security for reporting the HTML Sanitization Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1858)
  • Masato Kinugawa for reporting the EUC-JP Character Encoding Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1872)
  • Roman Shafigullin of LinkedIn for reporting the Null Byte Information Disclosure Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1873)
  • Code Audit Labs of VulnHunt for reporting the Developer Toolbar Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1874)
  • Dark Son of VulnHunt for reporting the Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1875)
  • Qihoo 360 Security Center for working with us on the Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1875)
  • Yichong Lin of McAfee Labs for working with us on the Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1875)
  • Google Inc. for working with us on the Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1875)
  • VUPEN Security, working with TippingPoint'sZero Day Initiative, for reporting the Col Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1876)
  • An anonymous researcher, working with TippingPoint'sZero Day Initiative, for reporting the Title Element Change Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1877)
  • An anonymous researcher, working with TippingPoint'sZero Day Initiative, for reporting the OnBeforeDeactivate Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1878)
  • An anonymous researcher, working with TippingPoint'sZero Day Initiative, for reporting the insertAdjacentText Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1879)
  • An anonymous researcher, working with TippingPoint'sZero Day Initiative, for reporting the insertRow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1880)
  • An anonymous researcher, working with TippingPoint'sZero Day Initiative, for reporting the OnRowsInserted Event Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1881)

Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP)

To improve security protections for customers, Microsoft provides vulnerability information to major security software providers in advance of each monthly security update release. Security software providers can then use this vulnerability information to provide updated protections to customers via their security software or devices, such as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based intrusion prevention systems. To determine whether active protections are available from security software providers, please visit the active protections websites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.

Support

How to obtain help and support for this security update

Disclaimer

The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.

Revisions

  • V1.0 (June 12, 2012): Bulletin published.

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