Microsoft is investigating a report of a new, unpatched flaw in Internet Explorer that could expose users of the ubiquitous Web browser to attacks.
An attacker could craft a malicious Web site that takes advantage of the flaw and gain control over the PCs that visit the Web site or install malicious software on those systems, a representative of the French Security Incident Response Team said in an e-mail interview Wednesday. The organization rates the issue "critical," its most serious classification.
Exploit code for the flaw is available on the Internet, according to the French security research group. The availability of exploit code typically raises the risk to users because it could aid miscreants in setting up attacks.
Microsoft is investigating the report of the new IE flaw, a company representative said in a statement late Wednesday. The software maker is not aware of attacks that use the reported flaw, the representative said. After the investigation, Microsoft will take the appropriate action to protect users, which could include a security update, she said.
Internet security monitoring company Websense has added detection mechanisms for this latest potential IE flaw to its software. As of Wednesday afternoon the company had not found any malicious Web sites that take advantage of it, said Dan Hubbard, senior director of security and research at Websense in San Diego.
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