Published:
11 October 2000
Protect yourself against future threats.
-----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).
On call after hours for emergencies.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: 2.6.3i
Charset: noconv
Comment: ftp://ftp.auscert.org.au/pub/auscert/AUSCERT_PGP.key
iQCVAwUBOlSM6ih9+71yA2DNAQHSLgP9GIDMN6DBvlO1Tg6Ep0GCenbZ+5tOIPCb
gW5l8n7m4lwBvXn3C6HHyxgREanArGjfXWg82Xtx6FuT+CDmvIaxo+CLwy40fZb8
Vu0XwHglLJAOoURcrBdbziyJL4NA3YnvkPBFX0/PV0queU0dQQLOKb20GTuNMMk3
0nUazaWtfqw=
=Jbb0
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----