US-CERT Current Activity

The US-CERT Current Activity web page is a regularly updated summary of the most frequent, high-impact types of security incidents currently being reported to the US-CERT.

Last reviewed: September 16, 2008 12:32:13 EDT

Fake Antivirus Software Circulating

US-CERT is aware of public reports indicating an increase in the instances of fake antivirus software circulating. These software applications are malicious code, not legitimate antivirus applications. These instances of malicious code are noted as being distributed through spam email messages containing malicious links, instant messages containing malicious links, private messages on social networking sites, infection from other malware, and from visiting compromised websites.

Quite often, this malware attempts to convince users that there is something wrong with their systems. This leads to an attempt persuade the users into purchasing an illegitimate antivirus application. If the user purchases the bogus software, the attacker may be able to obtain personal and credit card information for use in additional scams and fraudulent activity.

US-CERT encourages users to perform the following preventative measures to help mitigate the risks:

• Install legitimate antivirus software from a trusted vendor, and keep its virus signature files up-to-date.
• Do not follow unsolicited web links found in email messages or instant messages.
• Use caution when visiting untrusted websites.
• Do not install untrusted software.

Apple Releases Security Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities

Apple has released Security Update 2008-006 and Mac OS X v10.5.5 to address multiple vulnerabilities in Mac OS X and related products. The impacts of these vulnerabilities include arbitrary code execution, information disclosure, denial of service, privilege escalation, or DNS cache poisoning.

US-CERT encourages users to review Apple article HT3137 and apply the appropriate updates as soon as possible.

US-CERT will provide additional details as the they become available.

Apple Addresses Issues with iTunes 8.0

Apple has released an article to address issues with their recent iTunes 8.0 release. The article indicates that Windows Vista users who have installed iTunes 8.0 may be seeing a blue screen error message when connecting an iPhone or iPod to their computer.

US-CERT encourages users to review Apple article TS2280 and apply one of the solutions listed in the article to fix the issue.

TWiki Releases Security Alert

TWiki has released a Security Alert to address a vulnerability. This vulnerability is due to the way TWiki processes the "image" variable in URLs. Exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review the TWiki Security Alert and apply the workaround listed in the Countermeasures section of the document or upgrade to version 4.2.3 to help mitigate the risks.

Additional information regarding this vulnerability can be found in the Vulnerability Notes Database.

Apple Releases iPhone v2.1

Apple has released iPhone v2.1 to address multiple vulnerabilities in Application Sandbox, CoreGraphics, mDNSResponder, Networking, Passcode Lock, and Webkit. These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, conduct DNS cache poisoning attacks, spoof or hijack TCP sessions, bypass Passcode Lock, obtain sensitive information, or cause a denial-of-service condition.

US-CERT encourages users to review Apple document HT3129 and upgrade to iPhone v2.1.

DHS Email Scam

US-CERT is aware that spam email messages are being sent that appear to come from high-level DHS officials, some of which attempt to entice the user into an advance fee fraud scam. In some cases, the sender's address has been spoofed so that the email appears to come from a legitimate dhs.gov address.

US-CERT encourages users to do the following to help mitigate the risks:

• Do not open attachments contained in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks document for more information on social engineering attacks.

U.S. Presidential Election and Phishing Scams

Throughout the United States presidential election campaigns, US-CERT has received reports of phishing scams and email attacks related to the upcoming election. US-CERT reminds users to remain cautious when receiving unsolicited email messages that are related to the presidential election and presidential candidates because the messages may be part of a phishing scam.

US-CERT encourages users to do the following to help mitigate the risks:

• Use caution when opening unsolicited email messages.
• Do not follow unsolicited web links found in email messages.
• Use caution when entering sensitive information online.
• Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks document for more information on social engineering attacks.

Apple Releases Security Updates

Apple has released four security updates to address multiple vulnerabilities in iTunes, QuickTime, iPod touch, and Bonjour for Windows. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, cause a denial-of-service condition, conduct DNS cache poisoning attacks, spoof or hijack TCP sessions, access the system with escalated privileges, or obtain sensitive information.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review the following Apple Security Articles and apply any necessary updates:

• iTunes 8.0 (Article: HT3025)
• QuickTime 7.5.5 (Article: HT3027)
• iPod Touch v2.1 (Article: HT3026)
• Bonjour for Windows 1.0.5 (Article: HT2990)

Microsoft Releases September Security Bulletin

Microsoft has released updates to address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, .NET Framework, Office, SQL Server, and Visual Studio as part of the Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for September 2008. These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.

US-CERT encourages users to review the bulletins and follow best-practice security policies to determine which updates should be applied.

Google Releases Chrome Version 0.2.149.29

Google has released Chrome version 0.2.149.29 to address multiple vulnerabilities. The four vulnerabilities are due to the following:

1. a buffer overflow condition in the handling of filenames displayed in the "Save As" dialog
2. a buffer overflow condition in the handling of link targets displayed in the status area when a user hovers over a link
3. an out-of-bounds memory read error when parsing URLs ending with :%
4. a default configuration that allows files to be downloaded to the desktop without prompting the user first