Alert

Microsoft Updates for Vulnerabilities in Windows, Office, and Internet Explorer

Last Revised
Alert Code
TA06-283A

Systems Affected

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer

Overview

Microsoft has released updates that address critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on a vulnerable system.

Description

Microsoft has released updates to address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office as part of the Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for October 2006. The summary lists ten Microsoft Security Bulletins. The following Bulletins discuss previously disclosed vulnerabilities that are actively being exploited:

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-057 addresses a remote code execution vulnerability in the WebFolderIcon ActiveX control. More information is available in VU#753044.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-058 addresses a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft PowerPoint. More information is available in VU#231204.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-060 addresses a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Word. More information is available in VU#806548.

Further information on vulnerabilities addressed by the October 2006 Security Bulletins will be available in these Vulnerability Notes.

Microsoft has announced the end of support for Windows XP Service Pack 1. According to Microsoft:

On October 10, 2006, Microsoft will end all public assisted support
for Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). After this date, Microsoft will no
longer provide any incident support options or security updates for
this retired service pack under the policies defined by the Microsoft
Support Lifecycle policy.

We strongly encourage Windows XP users to upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) as soon as possible.

Impact

A remote, unauthenticated attacker could execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. An attacker may also be able to cause a denial of service.

Solution

Apply updates from Microsoft

Microsoft has provided updates for these vulnerabilities in the October 2006 Security Bulletins. The Security Bulletins describe any known issues related to the updates. Note any known issues described in the Bulletins and test for any potentially adverse affects in your environment.

Updates for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office XP and later are available on the Microsoft Update site. Microsoft Office 2000 updates are available on the Microsoft Office Update site.

System administrators may wish to consider using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

References

Revision History

  • October 10, 2006: Initial release
    October 10, 2006: Added text for previously known Microsoft Word vulnerability (VU#806548)

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