ZONEALARM SECURITY ADVISORY
Severity: High

Microsoft Vector Markup Language Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Date Published : 09 January 2007

Date Last Revised : 09 January 2007

Overview : A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Markup Language.

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

Description : The cause of the vulnerability is an unchecked buffer in the VML implementation in Microsoft Windows.

Vector Markup Language (VML) is an XML-based exchange, editing, and delivery format for high-quality vector graphics on the Web that meets the needs of both productivity users and graphic design professionals.

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

Impact : In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites 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 Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or instant messenger message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.

In an e-mail based attack of this exploit, customers who read e-mail in plain text are at less risk from this vulnerability. Instead users would have to either click on a link that would take them to a malicious Web site or open an attachment to be at risk from this vulnerability.

Customers who read e-mail in plain text would also be at less risk when using the Outlook or Outlook Express preview panes.

Platforms Affected : Please review the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-004 for a complete list of affected platforms: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS07-004.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 MS07-004: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS07-004.mspx

Contact : Zone Labs customers who are concerned about information contained in this advisory or have additional technical questions may reach Zone Labs Technical Support team at: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/support.jsp. To report security issues with Zone Labs products, contact security@zonelabs.com.

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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