IE Security Hole Exploited in Attack on Google

Mountain View-based search engine giant Google recently announced that it is reviewing “the feasibility of [its] business operations in China for two reasons: China wants Google to keep censuring search results (while Google wants to stop censuring search results) and a “highly sophisticated and targeted attack” was conducted on Google’s corporate infrastructure by hackers in China. The attack did not hit Google alone, it hit more than 20 other companies – the number of attacked companies, according to recent reports, is of about 34 companies, including Adobe.

Microsoft, the Redmond-based software giant issued a security advisory that warns users of a critical, obviously unpatched vulnerability in IE (Internet Explorer) 6, 7 and 8 on Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP, Server 2003, Server 2008 R2. What’s the big deal about that? Well, it seems this flaw has been used in the attack made public by Google.

“Based upon our investigations, we have determined that Internet Explorer was one of the vectors used in targeted and sophisticated attacks against Google and possibly other corporate networks. Microsoft issued guidance to help customers mitigate a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in Internet Explorer. Additionally, we are cooperating with Google and other companies, as well as authorities and other industry partners. Microsoft remains committed to taking the appropriate action to help protect our customers. We released Security Advisory 979352 to provide customers with actionable guidance and tools to help with protections against exploit of this vulnerability,” announced Mike Reavey on behalf of the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC). -Read More