Office fixes dominate Microsoft update

  • Email a Friend
  • Print Page
Office fixes dominate Microsoft update
By Shaun Nichols
Mar 13, 2008 7:26 AM
Tags: Office | fixes | dominate | Microsoft | update

Fixes for Microsoft's Office productivity suite dominated this month's Patch Tuesday release..

The four bulletins in yesterday's Security Update addressed 12 vulnerabilities in the popular software.

Each of the bulletins fix vulnerabilities which could allow an attacker to remotely execute code on the target system. Microsoft has rated all four as 'critical', the highest of its four alert levels.

The bulletins address flaws in Outlook, Excel and Office web components. The update applies to Office XP, 2000, 2003 and 2007. Mac versions of Office 2004 and 2008 were also updated, each receiving fixes rated 'important'.

Windows XP and Windows Vista were not affected by the monthly update.

Dave Marcus, security research and communications manager at McAfee, said that the update addresses an important attack vector.

"Vulnerabilities in Office applications have been a favourite attack method among cyber-crooks, especially in stealthy attacks that seek to steal high-value intellectual property," he said.

"Trojan attacks often use rigged Office files that exploit vulnerabilities in the productivity suite."

Copyright © 2009 vnunet.com


 
Comments

Be the first to comment on this article.
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
Comment:
Want to participate in the discussion?
Or log in now to comment
 
 
Top Stories
Basslink lights up with commercial traffic
Calls for second independent cable.
 
Bluetooth "Big Brother" tracks festival-goers
Might have retail and security applications.
 
Huawei considers Australian 4G lab
But dollars depend on demand.
 
Exclusive Data Centre - Sponsored Content by Microsoft

Latest Comments

""The researchers will only track the devices' MAC address -- a number that identifies each ..."
by forcedregsucks Jul 6, 2009 9:34 PM
 
" Erin Kutz wrote: A tiny fraction of those who use the fast-growing social network phenomenon ..."
by Slatts Jul 6, 2009 8:58 AM
 
"I'm thinking there was some robust discussion in the Sawers household when Sir John got home ..."
by Slatts Jul 6, 2009 8:41 AM
 
"Well... that seems disturbing but I just can't seem to put my finger on why. I think it just ..."
by Slatts Jul 6, 2009 8:35 AM
 
"I'm kind of assuming that the water was used in water cooled condensers for the air-conditioning...."
by Slatts Jul 2, 2009 8:54 PM

Polls

What will you do when your iPhone contract comes up for renewal?




   |   View results
Retain my current service provider
  11%
 
Switch to a cheaper plan
  18%
 
Switch to a better network
  17%
 
Switch to whoever offers free tethering
  18%
 
Change handset altogether
  35%
TOTAL VOTES: 207

Vote