From secnotif@MICROSOFT.COM Tue Aug 31 19:52:26 1999 From: Microsoft Product Security Resent-From: mea culpa To: MICROSOFT_SECURITY@ANNOUNCE.MICROSOFT.COM Resent-To: jericho@attrition.org Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 16:36:49 -0700 Subject: Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS99-031) 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. ******************************** Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS99-031) -------------------------------------- Patch Available for "Virtual Machine Sandbox" Vulnerability Originally Posted: August 25, 1999 Summary ======= Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability in the Microsoft(r) virtual machine (Microsoft VM). The vulnerability could allow a Java applet to take virtually any action on the computer of a web site visitor. Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-031faq.asp Issue ===== The Microsoft VM is a virtual machine for the Win32(r) operating environment. It runs atop Microsoft Windows(r) 95, 98 or Windows NT(r). It ships as part of each operating system, and also as part of Microsoft Internet Explorer. The version of the Microsoft VM that ships with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and Internet Explorer 5.0 contains a security vulnerability that could allow a Java applet to operate outside the bounds set by the sandbox and take any desired action on the user's computer. If such an applet were hosted on a web site, it could act against the computer of any user who visited the site. Affected Software Versions ========================== - Microsoft VM, all builds in the 2000 and 3000 series NOTE: The affected versions shipped primarily as part of Internet Explorer 4.0 and 5. The FAQ provides instructions for determining the specific build on your machine. Patch Availability ================== - http://www.microsoft.com/java/vm/dl_vm32.htm More Information ================ Please see the following references for more information related to this issue. - Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-031: Frequently Asked Questions, http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-031faq.asp. - Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q240346, Malicious Java Applet may be able to Read, Write, or Delete Files on the Computer of a Web Site Visitor, http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q240/3/46.asp. (Note: It may take 24 hours from the original posting of this bulletin for the KB article to be visible.) - Microsoft Security Advisor web site, http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.asp. Obtaining Support on this Issue =============================== This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft Technical Support is available at http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp. Acknowledgments =============== Microsoft acknowledges Xerox PARC for bringing this issue to our attention. Revisions ========= - August 25, 1999: 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. (c) 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use. ******************************************************************* You have received this e-mail bulletin as a result of your registration to the Microsoft Product Security Notification Service. You may unsubscribe from this e-mail notification service at any time by sending an e-mail to MICROSOFT_SECURITY-SIGNOFF-REQUEST@ANNOUNCE.MICROSOFT.COM The subject line and message body are not used in processing the request, and can be anything you like. For more information on the Microsoft Security Notification Service please visit http://www.microsoft.com/security/services/bulletin.asp. For security-related information about Microsoft products, please visit the Microsoft Security Advisor web site at http://www.microsoft.com/security.