IE/Firefox bugs found

God

Super Moderator

A noted security researcher disclosed four new zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft and Mozilla's browsers, including a critical flaw in Internet Explorer (IE) and a major bug in Firefox.

Michael Zalewski, who regularly publishes browser flaw findings, posted details on the Full-disclosure mailing list for cookie-stealing, keystroke-snooping, malicious downloading and site-spoofing bugs.

The most serious of the four, said Zalewski, is an IE6 and IE7 flaw he rated "critical." Dubbing it a "bait-and-switch" vulnerability, he said that the Microsoft browser gives hackers a window of opportunity to run malicious Javascript to hijack the PC.

"The entire security model of the browser collapses like a house of cards and renders you vulnerable to a plethora of nasty attacks," Zalewski claimed in notes that accompanied a demonstration of the IE bug. Up-to-date IE6 and IE7 are both at risk, he said, although Firefox is not.

But Mozilla's browser also suffered at Zalewski's hands. A new IFrame vulnerability in Firefox 2.0 can let attackers plant keyloggers or drop malicious content into a legitimate web site. The flaw, rated as "major," is related to a similar bug discovered last year; although Mozilla patched that problem, Zalewski said the fix hadn't plugged all the holes.

Zalewski posted information about two other bugs, both rated "medium." A Firefox vulnerability could lead to unauthorised downloads, while IE6 is open to yet another address bar-spoofing flaw. "IE7 is not affected because of certain high-level changes in the browser," Zalewski said of the fourth vulnerability.

Mozilla is aware of both Firefox bugs — they have been posted to its Bugzilla management system — and a Microsoft spokeswoman said the company's security team is looking into Zalewski's claims. "Upon completion of this investigation, Microsoft will take the appropriate action, which may include issuing a security advisory or providing a security update," she added.

Microsoft also said it knows of no ongoing attacks using the vulnerabilities.



So much for Firefox being invincable like so many claim it to be.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Thanks for posting this. IE7 is the biggest pile of shit (except some features which are nice) but overall its functionality blows my left nut

Joseph T. Cool

Administrator

Agreed....I removed it at home and user the FF emulator if I need anything IE related.

See plug in "IE Tab"