Internet Explorer Web Browser Security Bug Reported - SSO-AL2009-058

24 November 2009

Software and platforms affected

The following software is affected

Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 7

for the following operating system platforms:

Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Server 2003
Windows Vista
Windows Server 2008

What is the problem?

There is a bug in versions 6 and 7 of the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser, which could result in your computer being attacked by criminals.

What we recommend you do

Microsoft is still investigating the bug, but has found so far that Internet Explorer 8 is not affected. To check which version of Internet Explorer you have installed, open the Internet Explorer web browser and select “Help” from the top menu, then select “About Internet Explorer”.

Users can download Internet Explorer 8 here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/worldwide-sites.aspx

Alternatively you can install Internet Explorer 8 by selecting it from the optional updates provided by Automatic Updates.

Information on how to setup Automatic Updates can be found here:

For Windows XP:

http://www.ssoalertservice.net.au/view/8d826d7e1f09438435017ec08986beec
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/updates/xpsp2.mspx

For Windows 2000:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327850

For Windows Vista:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/updates/vista.mspx

The Microsoft Update web site enables you to update your Microsoft operating system and all other Microsoft software, such as Microsoft Office, from one location.  When you visit Microsoft Update with Internet Explorer, the site scans your computer and gives you a list of updates relevant to your computer and its configuration. You then decide which updates you want to download and install.

http://update.microsoft.com/

For instructions on installing optional updates please refer to the newsletter from September 2009:

http://www.ssoalertservice.net.au/content/doc/September_2009.pdf

Where you can find more information

The following links provide more information about the bug and the software platforms affected:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/977981.mspx

Disclaimer

This Alert has been prepared by AusCERT for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

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