March 14, 2007 6:06 PM PDT
Microsoft probes possible IE 7 phishing hole
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An attacker can use an error message displayed by the latest Microsoft browser to send Web surfers to malicious Web sites that will display with the address of a trusted site, such as a bank, Aviv Raff, a developer in Israel, wrote on his Web site. Raff included an example where the error message directs the Web surfer to a site of his choice.
Microsoft is looking into the issue, a representative said. "Microsoft is not aware of any attacks attempting to use the reported vulnerability," the representative said in an e-mailed statement. "Microsoft will continue to investigate... to help provide additional guidance for customers as necessary."
The vulnerability relates to the message IE displays when Web page loading is aborted, Raff wrote. An attacker can rig the message by creating a malicious link. The message will offer a link to retry loading the page; hitting it brings up the attacker's page, but showing an arbitrary Web address, he wrote.
To launch a phishing attack, an attacker can create a Web link that purports to go to a trusted site, such as a bank. When clicked, the link results in a rigged error page. Following the reload link on that page will display the attacker's Web site with the address of the trusted site in the IE 7 address bar, Raff wrote.
Phishing attacks are a prevalent Internet threat that typically use fraudulent Web sites and spam e-mail to trick people into giving up personal information such as Social Security numbers and credit card details.
IE 7 on Windows Vista and Windows XP are affected, Raff wrote.
Hey, no software company could be this incompetent decade after decade with a specific purpose, could it?
There must be a profit angle for MSFT. Everyone, including most of the governments of the western world agree on one thing, that MSFT is a criminal enterprise organized to restrain trade. Ballmer is always screaming about 'killing Google', 'killing x', 'killing y', 'killing z', throwing chairs and appearing at events acting like John Gotti without manners.
Hmmmm...
>>>An attacker can use<<<
Can means that it CAN be done.
But the title says:
>>>Microsoft probes possible IE 7 phishing hole<<<
If it's not possible, then it can't be done. Sorta makes reading a bit confusing.
So is it possible, but Microsoft has yet to confirm that it's possible or what?
Or is it not possible and people only suspect that it can be done?
Get your facts and report them clearly and concisely!!!
Walt