Published:
16 August 2001
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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- =========================================================================== 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 =========================================================================== AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary --------------------------------- Product: Outlook 2002, 2000, and 98 Vendor: Microsoft Impact: Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands Access Required: Remote Ref: ESB-2001.293 - --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT-------------------- - -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 7.1 iQEVAwUBO3xkSI0ZSRQxA/UrAQHSjQf/aWgDy/LTwpN2bkmPP5Dxx9/5ZEfjxLT0 9JDvWseC2SgNO/kYqrwRfKBBMSZGgX6Fb6EtX5UcW61OnxjftWJF9C4mUktsJEMu 3YsRBDLZySPlMvMRjNLixfL5KNVjOv0fMDjdh45d7i5JUqpTc5eTd6A/kzK7lNW+ BOcWWPe5+ofhpaZJZFlCy9uC1t5KDeB9tYsmKKpf6iJXBlOyw1WsdE1ctpAPWw04 nzwIerS6+gYsmQ9IxtnnUjuuCDbZeGp9eUJxuae4kBwvsM5wVJBBQajmQexXyQ0J R9DrlSN5+DoWJo739g7I4RQwSlpmBW5Vf2gsQTKTmBcCQjdNjK6PbA== =8+Mv - -----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. 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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 iQCVAwUBO31Eeyh9+71yA2DNAQELnQP9G51ew0D2lLy88PoaCYaHw1DN5xGpa2fc Bl2kgFY20YbWCCjKT7/IjbcPh9Y1hUrbKB2zY6fB6fD3ACo51zMq/j0VHFEcDHFP 1DbLpds7uiQMCbz+r/1wz3O+EFAyECUR2KL3jrJC6uu91E/G7coFxfMpQbqS6D0W lfVJP6TEAVI= =MkQp -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----