CVE-2008-5540

Secure Computing Secure Web Gateway (aka Webwasher), when Internet Explorer 6 or 7 is used, allows remote attackers to bypass detection of malware in an HTML…

published December 12, 2008

CVSS
—
EPSS
2%
Percentile
79.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A surprise MZ header in your HTML is like a magician's trick: it makes malware disappear from detection! 🔍 Think of it like a restaurant serving an expired dish under a different name—just because it looks like a harmless burger doesn't mean it's not a dangerous concoction. This vulnerability lets attackers disguise malicious files, potentially putting users at risk. If successful, an attacker could deliver malware disguised as a harmless HTML document without triggering security warnings. This means that unsuspecting users could open files that could potentially lead to system compromises or data breaches—definitely not what you want on your plate!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant serving an expired dish under a different name—just because it looks like a harmless burger doesn't mean it's not a dangerous concoction. This vulnerability lets attackers disguise malicious files, potentially putting users at risk. This vulnerability in Secure Computing's Secure Web Gateway allows attackers to bypass malware detection by using a crafted HTML document with a specific MZ header. By renaming the file to have no extension, a .txt extension, or a .jpg extension, the malicious content can evade scrutiny.

What to do

If successful, an attacker could deliver malware disguised as a harmless HTML document without triggering security warnings. This means that unsuspecting users could open files that could potentially lead to system compromises or data breaches—definitely not what you want on your plate! To mitigate this risk, ensure you are using a more secure and updated web gateway solution that thoroughly checks file types and contents. Additionally, educate users about suspicious files and implement strict file handling policies. It's also wise to avoid outdated browsers like Internet Explorer 6 or 7. You've got this! By taking these steps, you’ll keep your environment safe and sound. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01938 · 79.8th percentile
Published
2008-12-12T18:13Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 12 DEC 18:13Z
    Secure Computing Secure Web Gateway (aka Webwasher), when Internet Explorer 6 or 7 is used, allows remote attackers to bypass detection of malware in an HTML…
    cvelistv5