Protect yourself against future threats.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
===========================================================================
AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution
ESB-2004.0202 -- US-CERT Technical Cyber Security Alert TA04-070A
Microsoft Outlook mailto URL Handling Vulnerability
11 March 2004
===========================================================================
AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
---------------------------------
Product: Microsoft Outlook 2002
Publisher: US-CERT
Operating System: Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows NT
Windows ME
Windows 98SE
Windows 98
Impact: Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access Required: Remote
CVE Names: CAN-2004-0121
Ref: ESB-2004.0191
Comment: Microsoft has updated the severity of this vulnerability from
"Important" to "Critical". The reason for this change is
explained on the Microsoft site:
'... it was determined that this vulnerability could also affect
users who do not have the "Outlook Today" folder home page as
their default home page in Outlook 2002.'
- --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT--------------------
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
Microsoft Outlook mailto URL Handling Vulnerability
Original issue date: March 10, 2004
Last revised: --
Source: US-CERT
Systems Affected
* Microsoft Office XP (up to Service Pack 2)
* Microsoft Outlook 2002 (up to Service Pack 2)
Overview
A vulnerability in the way that Microsoft Outlook 2002 handles a
certain type of URL could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary
code on the vulnerable system.
I. Description
Microsoft Outlook provides a centralized application for managing and
organizing email messages, schedules, tasks, notes, contacts, and
other information. Outlook is included as a component of newer
versions of Microsoft Office and available as a stand-alone product.
Outlook 2002 exposes a vulnerability due to inadequate checking of
parameters passed to the Outlook email client. The vulnerability is
caused by the way a "mailto:" URL is interpreted. An attacker creating
specially formatted "mailto:" URLs can cause Outlook to run privileged
script, ultimately leading to the execution of arbitrary code. The
malicious code could be delivered to the victim via a specially
crafted HTML email message or from an intruder-controlled web page.
Microsoft originally stated that users were only at risk from this
vulnerability when Outlook 2002 is configured as the default mail
reader and when the "Outlook Today" home page is their default folder
home page. Subsequent information has been published that indicates
that this is not true and users in other situations are vulnerable via
a slightly different attack vector.
II. Impact
An attacker could execute arbitrary code of their choosing on the
system running the vulnerable version of Outlook. Upon successful
exploitation, the malicious code would be executed in the context of
the "Local Machine" Internet Explorer zone under the user running
Outlook.
III. Solution
Apply a patch
Apply the appropriate patch as specified by Microsoft Security
Bulletin MS04-009.
Workarounds
Microsoft recommends the following workarounds for users who are
unable to apply the patches:
* Do not use the "Outlook Today" folder home page in Outlook 2002
You can help protect against this vulnerability by turning off the
"Outlook today" folder home page in Outlook 2002.
1. In the "Folder List" window of Outlook, right-click on
"Outlook Today" or "Mailbox - [User Name]"
2. Select Properties for "Outlook Today" or "Mailbox - [User
Name]"
3. Select "Home Page" tab
4. Uncheck "Show home page by default for this folder"
5. Repeat for all other "Folder List" items labeled "Outlook
Today" or "Mailbox - [User Name]"
Impact of Workaround: The "Outlook Today" folder home page would
no longer be available.
* If you are using Outlook 2002 or Outlook Express 6.0 SP1 or later,
read email messages in plain text format to help protect yourself
from the HTML email attack vector
Microsoft Outlook 2002 users who have applied Service Pack 1 or
later and Outlook Express 6.0 users who have applied Service Pack
1 or later can enable a feature that will enable them to view all
non-digitally-signed email messages or non-encrypted email
messages in plain text only. Digitally-signed email messages and
encrypted email messages are not affected by the setting and may
be read in their original formats.
Instructions for enabling these settings can be found at the
following locations:
+ Outlook 2002 - Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 307594
+ Outlook Express 6.0 - Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 291387
Impact of Workaround: Email that is viewed in plain text format
cannot contain pictures, specialized fonts, animations, or other
rich content. Additionally:
+ The changes are applied to the preview pane and to open
messages.
+ Pictures become attachments to avoid loss of message content.
+ The object model (custom code solutions) may behave
unexpectedly because the message is still in Rich Text Format
or in HTML format in the mail store.
Appendix A. Vendor Information
This appendix contains information provided by vendors. When vendors
report new information, this section is updated and the changes are
noted in the revision history. If a vendor is not listed below, we
have not received their comments.
Microsoft
Please see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-009.
Appendix B. References
* US-CERT Vulnerability Note VU#305206 -
<http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/305206>
* iDEFENSE Security Advisory 03.09.04 -
<http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=79&type=vulner
abilities>
* IETF RFC2368, "The mailto URL scheme" -
<http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2368.txt>
* Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-009 -
<http://microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-009.aspx>
* Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 307594 -
<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=307594>
* Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 291387 -
<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=291387>
_________________________________________________________________
This issue was jointly reported publicly by Microsoft Security and
iDefense. They, in turn, credit Juoko Pyonen with the discovery and
research of this vulnerability. Information from iDefense and
Microsoft was used in this document.
_________________________________________________________________
This document is also available online at
<http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA04-070A.html>
Feedback can be directed to the authors, Chad Dougherty and Jeff
Havrilla.
_________________________________________________________________
Copyright 2004 Carnegie Mellon University.
Terms of use, see <http://www.us-cert.gov/legal.html>
Revision History
March 10, 2004: Initial release
- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.1 (GNU/Linux)
iD8DBQFAT8dmXlvNRxAkFWARAnY5AKCZJY4Nm58+RJBK5nbzlgCCfhUC5QCfbnGl
X5nSukAsCMCepN3+mFsxW50=
=wQ3h
- -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
- --------------------------END INCLUDED TEXT--------------------
You have received this e-mail bulletin as a result of your organisation's
registration with AusCERT. The mailing list you are subscribed to is
maintained within your organisation, so if you do not wish to continue
receiving these bulletins you should contact your local IT manager. If
you do not know who that is, please send an email to auscert@auscert.org.au
and we will forward your request to the appropriate person.
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 follow or act on information or advice
contained in this security bulletin is the responsibility of each user or
organisation, and should be considered in accordance with your organisation's
site policies and procedures. AusCERT takes no responsibility for consequences
which may arise from following or acting on information or advice contained in
this security bulletin.
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 author's website 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/render.html?cid=1980
If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT
Incident Reporting Form at:
http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192
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). On call after hours
for member emergencies only.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Comment: http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=1967
iQCVAwUBQE/bMyh9+71yA2DNAQJrvAP9F6ZsEZWgutuYYDAoZPLbxb8qottu8fil
erz/hNIyMXtB/hPdR61HE7LzHivGZ0oVRKpMjx6zmtUcrfXGiOtPusmNP4tTPCKO
HzrgdnyPwgr0dkXNhpU6WARtzG+3F0mbkcE7/vPhFYZwuusPU2djkxATB2go24nr
SWoUupCTBqA=
=VdUp
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----