Published:
11 October 2000
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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- =========================================================================== AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution ESB-2000.278 -- Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-071) Patch Available for "Word Mail Merge" Vulnerability 12 October 2000 =========================================================================== AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary --------------------------------- Product: Word 97, 2000 Vendor: Microsoft Impact: Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands Access Required: Remote - --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT-------------------- - -----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. Last Updated October 5, 2000 (c) 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of use. - -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Personal Privacy 6.5.3 iQEVAwUBOd1T7Y0ZSRQxA/UrAQGlTgf/Vo0PSIQfVc6V5g/YF87KXUIquzc8w83u SlmAamK2X0a94tn3RUOPgye4C3y+7CWP8ocmi6cHVJ3nPBm24VujfvASHz9ES3wB aRpCmvprhULSHcSDiPG97Gc9bzG4YBoQh32wS9es571pMTenICUIVU7+VLeQevLO WfkAf5ugfxwCL0aZn8ijFzZQ3iaVD/gbp3Vl7VSbIOJ5wtGWITcV6D47rhBDid8O qQJRLNMGcKxcLwkayGrZw/4DjTBW4VYBMnZFMglAVTE/VrTs08M9e6KpBxwzxEyP m1qMB2RcCUK2A9Lj9drddV3fTQxiXutqfx8S1mwMyEAkM2okkxGmgA== =xM7Q - -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- - --------------------------END INCLUDED TEXT-------------------- This security bulletin is provided as a service to AusCERT's members. As AusCERT did not write the document quoted above, AusCERT has had no control over its content. The decision to use any or all of this information is the responsibility of each user or organisation, and should be done so in accordance with site policies and procedures. NOTE: This is only the original release of the security bulletin. It may not be updated when updates to the original are made. If downloading at a later date, it is recommended that the bulletin is retrieved directly from the original authors to ensure that the information is still current. Contact information for the authors of the original document is included in the Security Bulletin above. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact them directly. Previous advisories and external security bulletins can be retrieved from: http://www.auscert.org.au/Information/advisories.html If you believe that your system has been compromised, contact AusCERT or your representative in FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams). Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au Facsimile: (07) 3365 7031 Telephone: (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417) AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours which are GMT+10:00 (AEST). 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