-Caveat Lector- Is this been happening to us? What do you think guys....Problem, Reaction, Solution? Peter http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/ms99-037.asp ----- Original Message ----- Warning for Internet Explorer 4 and 5 users: "It is possible for a web site to invoke this method, bypass this restriction and write files that could be used to execute system commands." That means any Web site you visit could read or delete your files, or download and run viruses on your machine. Message just received from Microsoft: The following is a Security Bulletin from the Microsoft Product Security Notification Service. Please do not reply to this message, as it was sent from an unattended mailbox. ******************************** Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS99-037) -------------------------------------- Patch Available for "ImportExportFavorites" Vulnerability Originally Posted: September 10, 1999 Re-released: September 24, 1999 Summary ======= On September 10, 1999, Microsoft released the original version of this bulletin, in order to provide a workaround for a security vulnerability in Microsoft(c) Internet Explorer 5 that could allow a malicious web site operator to take inappropriate action on the computer of a person who visited the site. Microsoft has completed a patch that completely eliminates the vulnerability, and has re-released this bulletin in order to advise customers of its availability. In addition to eliminating the "ImportExportFavorites" vulnerability, the patch also eliminates a security vulnerability posed by several ActiveX controls that ship as part of Internet Explorer 4.01 and 5. Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at <http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-037faq.asp>http://www.micr osoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-037faq.asp Issue ===== IE 5 includes a feature that allows users to export a list of their favorite web sites to a file, or to import a file containing a list of favorite sites. The method that is used to perform this function, ImportExportFavorites(), should only allow particular types of files to be written, and only to specific locations on the drive. However, it is possible for a web site to invoke this method, bypass this restriction and write files that could be used to execute system commands. The net result is that a malicious web site operator potentially could take any action on the computer that the user would be capable of taking. This vulnerability would chiefly affect workstations that are connected to the Internet. The patch restores correct operation to the ImportExportFavorites() method. In addition, the patch addresses security problems posed by several ActiveX controls. The specific controls and the actions taken are discussed in the FAQ. Affected Software Versions ========================== - Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 and 5 Patch Availability ================== - Internet Explorer 4.01 for Intel: <ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/ie/ie-public/fixes/usa>ftp://ftp.microsoft .com/peropsys/ie/ie-public/fixes/usa/ IE401/ImportExportFavorites-fix/x86/q241361.exe - Internet Explorer 4.01 for Alpha: <ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/ie/ie-public/fixes/usa>ftp://ftp.microsoft .com/peropsys/ie/ie-public/fixes/usa/ IE401/ImportExportFavorites-fix/Alpha/q241361.exe - Internet Explorer 5 for Intel: <ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/ie/ie-public/fixes/usa>ftp://ftp.microsoft .com/peropsys/ie/ie-public/fixes/usa/ IE50/ImportExportFavorites-fix/x86/q241361.exe - Internet Explorer 5 for Alpha: <ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/ie/ie-public/fixes/usa>ftp://ftp.microsoft .com/peropsys/ie/ie-public/fixes/usa/ IE50/ImportExportFavorites-fix/Alpha/q241361.exe NOTE: Line breaks have been inserted into the above URLs for readability. NOTE: The patch also will be available shortly via WindowsUpdate. When this happens, we will amend this bulletin to provide specific link information. More Information ================ Please see the following references for more information related to this issue. - Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-037: Frequently Asked Questions, <http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-037faq.asp>http://www.micr osoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-037faq.asp. - Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q241361, Update available to disable ActiveX controls and the ImportExport Security Issues, <http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q241/3/61.asp>http://suppo rt.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q241/3/61.asp. (Note: It may take 24 hours from the posting of this bulletin for the KB article to appear) - Microsoft Security Advisor web site, <http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.asp>http://www.microsoft.com/secu rity/default.asp. Obtaining Support on this Issue =============================== Information on contacting Microsoft Technical Support is available at <http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp>http://support.mi crosoft.com/support/contact/default.asp. Acknowledgments =============== Microsoft acknowledges Georgi Guninski for bringing the ImportExportFavorites issue to our attention. Microsoft acknowledges Shane Hird of Australia and Richard Smith of Phar Lap Software (<http://www.pharlap.com/>http://www.pharlap.com/) for reporting the unsafe ActiveX controls to us. Revisions ========= - September 10, 1999: Bulletin Created. - September 24, 1999: Bulletin revised to provide patch information and discuss ActiveX controls. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 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. (c) 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use. ******************************************************************* You have received this e-mail bulletin as a result of your registration to the Microsoft Product Security Notification Service. You may unsubscribe from this e-mail notification service at any time by sending an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The subject line and message body are not used in processing the request, and can be anything you like. For more information on the Microsoft Security Notification Service please visit <http://www.microsoft.com/security/services/bulletin.asp>http://www.microsof t.com/security/services/bulletin.asp. For security-related information about Microsoft products, please visit the Microsoft Security Advisor web site at <http://www.microsoft.com/security>http://www.microsoft.com/security. We are about to go on a Journey. All Aboard http://sites.netscape.net/gsussnzl/homepage Bargain Books http://bn.bfast.com/bfast/click/mid1349732?siteid=10734186&bfpage=b DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
