Hackers who abused a zero-day vulnerability found in Microsoft Internet Explorer are still conducting attacks across Asia Pacific financial and technology companies, according to IT security firm Websense Security Labs.
The research comes after Microsoft revealed last week it was investigating an unknown security flaw affecting its web browser, Internet Explorer.
Websense said more hackers have now attempted to exploit the vulnerability by targeting attacks at Japanese financial firms.
Carl Leonard, senior security research manager EMEA, at Websense, said: "Today’s discoveries suggest that the actors are using this exploit to specifically target companies in APAC.
"We anticipate that as more information of this zero day comes to light, the exploit will be weapon zed and packaged into exploit kits rapidly, greatly increasing the number of attackers with access to this exploit."
After Microsoft completes its probe of the problem, it will offer a solution, either through its "Patch Tuesday" maintenance cycle or through an out-of-cycle security update, according to the alert.
"Websense said it strongly encourages IT administrators to install the Microsoft FixIt patch to stop the vulnerability while waiting for a formal patch from Microsoft," added Leonard.
