Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity
    • IT Management

    Microsoft Security Workarounds Available for Zero-Day Vulnerability

    Written by

    Brian Prince
    Published March 2, 2010
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Microsoft has proposed a number of mitigations for a recently disclosed zero-day that could be used to take control of older Windows machines.

      News of the vulnerability spread last week when Maurycy Prodeus of iSec Security Research posted information about the vulnerability on the Web. According to Microsoft’s advisory, the vulnerability is due to the way VBScript interacts with Windows Help files when using Internet Explorer. If a malicious Website displays a specially crafted dialog box and a victim is tricked into pressing the F1 key, malicious code could be executed with the rights of the logged-on user, Microsoft explained.

      As part of its investigation, Microsoft determined the issue only impacts Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 through Internet Explorer. As of March 1, Microsoft was not aware of any attacks leveraging the situation, blogged Jerry Bryant, the company’s senior security communications manager lead.

      “Our teams are working to address the issue and once we complete our investigation, we will take appropriate action to protect customers,” he added. “This may include releasing an update out-of-band.”

      To address the issue, Microsoft made a number of suggestions, including restricting access to the Windows Help system. The company warned, however, that if the Windows Help System is rendered unavailable, users may not be able to leverage the help function in applications. The company also suggested users change the local intranet security zone settings to “High” to block ActiveX Controls and Active Scripting, and avoid pressing the F1 key if they are prompted to by a Website.

      “The Group Policy setting to ‘Turn off displaying the Internet Explorer Help Menu’ under the category path ‘Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplateWindows ComponentsInternet Explorer’ is not a sufficient mitigation for this issue,” according to a post on the company’s Security Research & Defense blog.

      While Microsoft offered no timeline for a fix, the next regularly scheduled Patch Tuesday update is slated for March 9.

      Brian Prince
      Brian Prince

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.