From secnotif@MICROSOFT.COM Fri Oct 6 07:18:31 2000 From: Microsoft Product Security Resent-From: mea culpa To: MICROSOFT_SECURITY@ANNOUNCE.MICROSOFT.COM Resent-To: jericho@attrition.org Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 21:24:21 -0700 Subject: Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-071) The following is a Security Bulletin from the Microsoft Product Security Notification Service. Please do not reply to this message, as it was sent from an unattended mailbox. ******************************** -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-071) ====================================== Patch Available for "Word Mail Merge" Vulnerability Originally posted: October 5, 2000 Summary ======= Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Word 2000 and 97. The vulnerability could allow a malicious user to run arbitrary code on a victim's computer without their approval. Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability and the patch can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-071.asp Issue ===== If an Access database is specified as a data source via DDE in a Word mail merge document, macro code can run without the user's approval when the user opens that document. If a user could be enticed into opening a specially constructed mail merge Word document, which was provided either as an e-mail attachment or as a link hosted on a hostile web site, it would be possible to cause arbitrary code to run on the user's machine. For such an attack to succeed, the victim would also need the ability to reach the Access database via a UNC share or file:// protocol. If the user is behind a firewall and security best practices have been followed, the ports required to access the database would be blocked. Affected Software Versions ========================== - Microsoft Word 2000 - Microsoft Word 97 Patch Availability ================== - Microsoft Word 2000: http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/2000/downloadDetails/wrdacc.htm - Microsoft Word 97: Patch will be available shortly. Note Additional security patches are available at the Microsoft Download Center More Information ================ Please see the following references for more information related to this issue. - Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS00-071, http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-071.asp - Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q274226 (Word 2000) http://www.microsoft.com/technet/support/kb.asp?ID=274226 - Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q272749 (Word 97) will be available soon. - Microsoft TechNet Security web site, http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/default.asp Obtaining Support on this Issue =============================== This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft Product Support Services is available at http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp. Revisions ========= October 5, 2000: Bulletin Created. - ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. 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