Internet Explorer bug puts patched software at risk of being exploited

Over on the ARS Technica Security and Hacktivism blog Dan Goodin is reporting that a XSS vulnerability exists that could grab login credentials and inject malicious content during an IE browsing session.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

February 4, 2015

1 Min Read
Internet Explorer bug puts patched software at risk of being exploited
Pixabay

Over on the ARS Technica Security and Hacktivism blog Dan Goodin is reporting that a XSS vulnerability exists that could grab login credentials and inject malicious content during an IE browsing session.

The vulnerability is known as a universal cross-site scripting (XSS) bug. It allows attackers to bypass the same origin policy, a crucially important principle in Web application models that prevents one site from accessing or modifying browser cookies or other content set by any other site. A proof-of-concept exploit published in the past few days shows how websites can violate this rule when people use supported versions Internet Explorer running the latest patches to visit maliciously crafted pages.

According to someone he spoke with from Microsoft they are not aware of this being actively used but they are working on an update.  Their (Microsoft's) main advice was to encourage users to not open unknown links and visit sites that are not trusted 100%.

This is the point when the other half of protecting yourself online should kick in and that involves the gray matter in between your ears and the connection to your mouse finger that does all the clicking.

Even without a vulnerability like this floating around it is always a good thing to have solid computing habits.

Stay safe out there.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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