Published:
16 August 2001
Protect yourself against future threats.
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AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2001.350 -- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-038 (version 2.0)
Outlook View Control Exposes Unsafe Functionality
17 August 2001
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AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: Outlook 2002, 2000, and 98
Vendor: Microsoft
Impact: Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access Required: Remote
Ref: ESB-2001.293
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Title: Outlook View Control Exposes Unsafe Functionality
Released: 12 July 2001
Revised: 16 August 2001 (version 2.0)
Software: Outlook 2002, 2000, and 98
Impact: Run code of attacker's choice
Bulletin: MS01-038
Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletin at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-038.asp.
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Reason for Revision:
====================
The original version of the bulletin advised customers of a
workaround procedure that could be used while a patch was under
development. We have now completed the patch, and have re-released
this bulletin to advise customers of its availability.
Issue:
======
On July 12, 2001, Microsoft released the original version of this
bulletin, to advise customers of a vulnerability affecting Microsoft
Outlook and to recommend that they temporarily use an administrative
procedure to protect their systems. A patch that eliminates the
vulnerability is now available. An updated version of the bulletin
was released on August 16, 2001, to announce the availability of the
patch and to advise customers that the administrative procedure is no
longer needed.
The Microsoft Outlook View Control is an ActiveX control that allows
Outlook mail folders to be viewed via web pages. The control should
only allow passive operations such as viewing mail or calendar data.
In reality, though, it exposes a function that could allow the web
page to manipulate Outlook data. This could enable an attacker to
delete mail, change calendar information, or take virtually any other
action through Outlook including running arbitrary code on the user's
machine.
Hostile web sites would pose the greatest threat with respect to this
vulnerability. If a user could be enticed into visiting a web page
controlled by an attacker, script or HTML on the page could invoke
the control when the page was opened. The script or HTML could then
use the control to take whatever action the attacker desired on the
user's Outlook data.
It also would be possible for the attacker to send an HTML e-mail to
a user, with the intent of invoking the control when the recipient
opened the mail. However, the Outlook E-mail Security Update, that
automatically installs as part of Outlook 2002 would thwart such an
attack. The Update causes HTML e-mails to be opened in the Restricted
Sites Zone, where ActiveX controls are disabled by default.
Mitigating Factors:
====================
- The newly-released Outlook E-mail Security Update that is
integrated
into Outlook 2002 would also prevent this vulnerability from being
exploited via e-mail in all affected Outlook versions.
- The vulnerability provides no capability for the attacker to force
a
user to visit a web page that exploits it.
Patch Availability:
===================
- A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the
Security Bulletin
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms01-038.asp
for information on obtaining this patch.
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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
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SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
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OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO
THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.
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