Users desperate to defend themselves against the latest
Internet Explorer security threat can install an unofficial patch
to deal with the problem, as Microsoft struggles to issue
one.
EEye Digital Security released the temporary fix yesterday,
which combats an exploit in the wild that takes advantage of a
security hole in the browser disclosed last week.
The unofficial patch blocks access to a vulnerable component in
IE, preventing malicious websites from taking advantage of the
vulnerability.
While it works on a patch, Microsoft advises users to disable
active scripting in their browsers. EEye recommends that users only
use its patch if they cannot disable active scripting.
The security company said its patch was not meant as a
replacement for the official patch, just a temporary fix until the
official one arrives – expected on 11 April at the latest, as part
of Microsoft scheduled security patching cycle.
Microsoft may, however, release a patch earlier if the critical
threat widens. The vulnerability relates to the way IE handles the
"createTextRange()" tag in web pages.
Security company Websense has so far discovered 200 malicious
websites that exploit the flaw, meaning users that visit them could
inadvertently open up their machines to remote attackers.
Microsoft does not recommend that users download the eEye
digital patch, however, as it says it may affect the usual working
of other Windows and IE components on their systems.