TippingPoint Zero Day Initiative

Microsoft Internet Explorer setExpression Code Execution Vulnerability

ZDI-07-073: December 11th, 2007

CVE ID

Affected Vendors

Affected Products

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Microsoft Internet Explorer. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page.

The specific flaw exists in the CRecalcProperty function in mshtml.dll. When rendering HTML after calling the setExpression methods, followed by a modification of the outerHTML property of a programatically created element. The vulnerable code dereferences a previously freed memory location which can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code.

Vendor Response

Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:

Disclosure Timeline

    2007-07-20 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
    2007-12-11 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

This vulnerability was discovered by:
    Anonymous