ZONEALARM SECURITY ADVISORY
Severity: High

Microsoft HTML Help Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Date Published : 08 August 2006

Date Last Revised : 08 August 2006

Overview : A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft HTML Help.

This vulnerability has been classified as "High Risk." Computer users should take appropriate action to patch vulnerable systems.

Description : The vulnerability is caused by a string buffer, within the HTML Help ActiveX control.

Microsoft HTML Help is the standard help system for the Windows platform. The HTML Help ActiveX control is a program that is used to insert help navigation and secondary window functionality into an HTML file.

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.

Impact : An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious Web page and persuading the user to visit the page. An attacker could also attempt to compromise a Web site to have it serve up a Web page with malicious content to try to exploit this vulnerability. When the user has visited the page, the attacker could access information from other Web sites, access local files on the system, or cause malicious script to run as the locally logged on user.

An attack that is successfully exploited would enable an attacker to install malicious code (worm, virus, Trojan horse), read confidential data, or take control over the target system.

Platforms Affected : Please review the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06046 for a complete list of affected platforms: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS06046.mspx

ZoneAlarm Products That Provide Protection : To ensure the most comprehensive protection, computer users should employ ZoneAlarm Security Suite, or ZoneAlarm Pro. Zone Labs products are not vulnerable to this attack. All Zone Labs security products, including ZoneAlarm, protect the user's system from unauthorized access and intrusions, and alert the user when malicious code attempts to access the network.

Recommended Actions :

ZoneAlarm Family

ZoneAlarm Pro and ZoneAlarm Security Suite protect your system against this vulnerability through "Internet Zone Security" and "Trusted Zone Security". It is recommended that you ensure the following:

  • Internet Zone Security is set to High.
  • Trusted Zone Security is set to Medium.
  • Only trusted hosts are in the 'Trusted' Zone.

Check Point Integrity

Check Point Integrity protects your system against this vulnerability through the following available services:

Classic Firewall Rules

It is recommended that you ensure:

  • Only trusted hosts are in the 'Trusted' Zone.

SmartDefense Program Advisor

SmartDefense Program Advisor automatically blocks malware. It is recommended that you ensure the following:

  • Internet Zone Security is set to High.
  • Trusted Zone Security is set to Medium.

For more information about activating SmartDefense Program Advisor, please refer to CPSA200510 .

Advanced Cooperative Enforcement

  • Use Advanced Cooperative Enforcement to enforce policy upon remote endpoints.

Related Resources :

Install Microsoft patches to remove this vulnerability from the Windows Operating System and other software components: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Review Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06046: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS06046.mspx

Disclaimer : The information in this advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.

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