Microsoft is looking into a vulnerability, found in its IE 6, IE 7 and IE 8 browsers, which could let attackers gain administrative user rights on Windows-based computers and let them host malicious websites.
According to the Redmond-based company, the bug does not affect the IE 9 and IE 10 browsers, according to Microsoft.
The company said in a statement that it is aware of targeted attacks that try to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer 8.
"The vulnerability may corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user within Internet Explorer," added Microsoft.
"An attacker could host a specially crafted website that is designed to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer and then convince a user to view the website."
Engineers of the company have recommended techniques for checking the vulnerability.
They include disabling Javascript, disabling Flash, and installing the EMET security tool.
Security advisor FireEye said that the site had been a host to the malicious code since December 21.
