Home Programs Emergency management Response CCIRC Analytical releases2 AV06-040: Microsoft Windows WebViewFolderIcon ActiveX integer overflow

Microsoft Windows WebViewFolderIcon ActiveX integer overflow

Number: AV06-040
Date: 28 September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this advisory is to bring attention to a vulnerability that exists in the WebViewFolderIcon ActiveX control.

Assessment

An integer overflow vulnerability has been found in the WebViewFolderIcon ActiveX control that may allow an attacker to exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted web page or HTML e-mail that could potentially allow remote code execution if a user visited the web page or viewed the message. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.

CCIRC is aware that a proof of concept and exploit are publicly available.

The following components are affected:

• Internet Explorer 6

Suggested action

There is no patch available for this vulnerability at this time. CCIRC recommends that system administrators review the mitigative strategies provided by US-CERT:

• Disable the WebViewFolderIcon ActiveX control using the kill bit for the following CLSIDs:
  {844F4806-E8A8-11d2-9652-00C04FC30871}
  {E5DF9D10-3B52-11D1-83E8-00A0C90DC849}.

Be aware that serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. See Microsoft knowledge base article ID 240797 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/240797) for more information.

• Disable ActiveX

Disabling ActiveX controls in un-trusted Zone appears to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. US-CERT provides instructions on disabling ActiveX in the Internet Zone:
http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/securing_browser/#Internet_Explorer

For more information and instructions, please refer to:

http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/753044
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/19030
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3730

Note to readers

Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) collects information related to cyber threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products. To report threats or incidents, please contact the Government Operations Centre (GOC) at 613-991-7000 or goc-cog@psepc-sppcc.gc.ca by e-mail.

Unauthorized use of computer systems and mischief in relation to data are serious Criminal Code offences in Canada. Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to local law enforcement organizations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Operations Centre (N.O.C.) provides a 24/7 service to receive such reports or to redirect callers to local law enforcement organizations. The N.O.C. can be reached at 613-993-4460. National security concerns should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at 613-993-9620.

For urgent matters or to report any incidents, please contact the Government Operations Centre at:

Phone: 613-991-7000
Fax: 613-996-0995
Secure Fax: 613-991-7094
Email: goc-cog@psepc-sppcc.gc.ca

For general information on critical infrastructure protection and emergency preparedness, please contact PSEPC's Public Affairs division at:

Telephone: 613-944-4875 or 1-800-830-3118
Fax: 613-998-9589
E-mail: communications@psepc-sppcc.gc.ca