Executive Risk Summary
"A use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site. This vulnerability was exploited in the wild in December 2012, as demonstrated by a CDwnBindInfo object."
Anticipated Attack Path
- 1. Initial Exploitation: Attacker crafts a malicious web page to exploit the use-after-free vulnerability
- 2. Post-Exploitation: Attacker gains control of the affected system, potentially leading to lateral movement and further exploitation
- 3. Persistence: Attacker establishes a persistent presence on the compromised system
Am I Vulnerable?
- Verify that Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8 is not used on any systems
- Apply the Microsoft Fix-It solution or patch MS13-008 to affected systems
- Monitor for suspicious activity and network traffic indicative of exploitation
Operational Audit Arsenal
Target Type Process
Target Asset iexplore.exe
Standard Path C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
PowerShell
# 🛠️ Senior Engineer Universal Audit
# Target: iexplore.exe (Process)
$Targets = 'iexplore.exe'
$SearchPaths = @("$env:windir\System32", "$env:ProgramFiles", "${env:ProgramFiles(x86)}")
Get-ChildItem -Path $SearchPaths -Include $Targets -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Select-Object FullName, @{Name="Version";Expression={$_.VersionInfo.ProductVersion}}Patch Impact Forecast
Reboot Required Likely
Potential disruption to web-based applications and services
Internal Work Notes
Apply MS13-008 patch to Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8 to mitigate use-after-free vulnerability, exploited in the wild. Verify iexplore.exe version and apply Fix-It solution if necessary.
Technical Intelligence & Operational Utilities • Delivered Weekly
Intelligence Sources
Official Advisoryhttp://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/12/council-foreign-relations-water-hole-attack-details.html
Official Advisoryhttp://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/29/new-vulnerability-affecting-internet-explorer-8-users.aspx
Official Advisoryhttp://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/31/microsoft-quot-fix-it-quot-available-for-internet-explorer-6-7-and-8.aspx
Official Advisoryhttp://eromang.zataz.com/2012/12/29/attack-and-ie-0day-informations-used-against-council-on-foreign-relations/
Official Advisoryhttp://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/just-another-water-hole-campaign-using-an-internet-explorer-0day/
Official Advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/119168/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer-CDwnBindInfo-Object-Use-After-Free.html
MSRC Advisoryhttp://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2794220
Official Advisoryhttp://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/154201
Official Advisoryhttp://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-008A.html
Official Advisoryhttp://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-015A.html
MSRC Advisoryhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-008
Official Advisoryhttps://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ie_cbutton_uaf.rb
Official Advisoryhttps://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16361
Official Advisoryhttp://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/12/council-foreign-relations-water-hole-attack-details.html
Official Advisoryhttp://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/29/new-vulnerability-affecting-internet-explorer-8-users.aspx
Official Advisoryhttp://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/31/microsoft-quot-fix-it-quot-available-for-internet-explorer-6-7-and-8.aspx
Official Advisoryhttp://eromang.zataz.com/2012/12/29/attack-and-ie-0day-informations-used-against-council-on-foreign-relations/
Official Advisoryhttp://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/just-another-water-hole-campaign-using-an-internet-explorer-0day/
Official Advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/119168/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer-CDwnBindInfo-Object-Use-After-Free.html
MSRC Advisoryhttp://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2794220
Official Advisoryhttp://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/154201
Official Advisoryhttp://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-008A.html
Official Advisoryhttp://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-015A.html
MSRC Advisoryhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-008
Official Advisoryhttps://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ie_cbutton_uaf.rb
Official Advisoryhttps://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16361
Official Advisoryhttps://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2012-4792
Related Microsoft Threats
Data compiled from NVD, MSRC, and CISA KEV Catalog. Intelligence synthesized via AI. Scripts provided for diagnostic purposes under MIT License.