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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- =========================================================================== AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution ESB-2001.127 -- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-019 Passwords for Compressed Folders are Recoverable 29 March 2001 =========================================================================== AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary --------------------------------- Product: Plus! 98 and Windows Me Vendor: Microsoft Operating System: Windows Me Impact: Access Privileged Data Access Required: Local - --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT-------------------- - -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Passwords for Compressed Folders are Recoverable Date: 28 March 2001 Software: Plus! 98 and Windows Me Impact: Data compression passwords can be recovered. Bulletin: MS01-019 Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletin at: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-019.asp. - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue: ====== Plus! 98, an optional package that extends Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition, introduced a data compression feature called Compressed Folders that was also included in Windows Me. For interoperability with leading third-party compression tools, it provides a password protection option for folders that have been compressed. However, due to a flaw in the package's implementation, the passwords used to protect the folders are recorded in a file on the user's system. If an attacker gained access to an affected machine on which password-protected folders were stored, she could learn the passwords and access the files. It is important to understand that, although this flaw does constitute a security vulnerability, the password protection feature is not intended to provide strong security. It was included in the products to enable interoperability with password-protection features in other third-party data compression products, and is only intended to provide protection against casual inspection. Customers who need strong protection for files should use Windows(r) 2000. The patch will prevent passwords from being written to the user's system in the future. However, as discussed in the FAQ, after applying the patch, it is important to also delete c:windowsdynazip.log, in order to ensure that all previously-recorded passwords are deleted. Mitigating Factors: ==================== - The password at issue here is not related in any way to the user's network logon password. It is used solely for password-protecting compressed folders. - An attacker would require physical access to an affected system in order to recover the password, or the owner of the machine would need to have deliberately shared out the c:windows folder. Patch Availability: =================== - A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read the Security Bulletin http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms01-019.asp for information on obtaining this patch. - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. - -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Personal Privacy 6.5.3 iQEVAwUBOsH+ao0ZSRQxA/UrAQH/Qwf/TmVnowE1qyHinH09UEj4jVRtzi3v8qV7 Lq1uNXbfELUvukakJvwz0aJTTby2t1XLcBt8XBhnG71lLbbObLelenxzxGfb2LKT E1l+Bb8iidVhPWbjNYy5MJk12y06syu7tJzcjxcr4JjKgAvorWJ0egN7VQQC9qQJ bVyAtps7bSgC+0s0UpVAiLCn0pfNyKuOIlbyFP4pWFmlM1fxaL4lC5L1jskwnHAX Hn8U/JhZXMuxJS9QymTmF5GCjEaJijL1iKSOtaB+CC98bOpbwd3IOzt1mKUlkbU2 IZhLZrT95iPYoYPYgxM6WXQSE5puvlTr7OotmvWfBpCOGcyK7NyHFw== =VTOE - -----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 iQCVAwUBOsNEOyh9+71yA2DNAQEkngP/SXVv7jxH4mBwxWhNS8Imv7AAeXmzj2hV GXs96IdYV/zn59DD3CGiIwfIGdwezeZCOo7XbDcuffEBwKSTl0QGnMqgTLNUvIaV fBbiTog3+5qOPj7Jwq7/wJQKHOpD+CLQMloxsh2C95DF9CAFdXjzebAoWBahOkfT G/m6iUZcRHw= =PO+O -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----