Internet Explorer 6 to 11 hit by critical bug

Microsoft warns hackers are exploiting a vulnerability in Internet Explorer that can be used to corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user within Internet Explorer. The issue affects Internet Explorer 6 through 11, Microsoft said it' working to roll out an IE security update for all supported versions of Windows.

Windows XP is impacted as well but will receive no security update as this operating system is no longer supported by Microsoft.

Internet Explorer 6 through 11 are all at risk, on all current versions of Windows from Vista to 8 and Windows Server 2003 to 2012 R2. The bug is thought to be present in IE on Windows XP, although that operating system is no longer supported.

Redmond's recommended reaction to the problem is to deploy version 4.1 of The Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit, as that software “helps mitigate the exploitation of this vulnerability by adding additional protection layers that make the vulnerability harder to exploit.”

Microsoft suggests a few other workarounds, such as switching on IE's Enhanced Protected Mode or setting security levels to “High” to stop ActiveX controls and Active Scripting working.

Source: The Register