__________________________________________________________
The U.S. Department of Energy
Computer Incident Advisory Capability
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INFORMATION BULLETIN
Microsoft "Excel SYLK" Vulnerability
October 27, 1999 15:00 GMT Number K-004
______________________________________________________________________________
PROBLEM: Two vulnerabilities exist in Microsoft(r) Excel 97 or 2000
which may allow macros to execute, bypassing the macro warning
notices.
PLATFORM: Microsoft Windows 95/98 or NT running Excel 97 or 2000
DAMAGE: When a file containing a malicious macro is opened, it could
take any action the targeted user could take. This could
include creating, deleting, or modifying files on the users
computer.
SOLUTION: Apply the patch.
______________________________________________________________________________
VULNERABILITY The risk is low. A user would have to open a file containing a
ASSESSMENT: malicious macro.
______________________________________________________________________________
[Start Microsoft Advisory]
Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS99-044)
--------------------------------------
Patch Available for "Excel SYLK" Vulnerability
Originally Posted: October 20, 1999
Summary
=======
Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates two vulnerabilities in
Microsoft(r) Excel 97 and 2000 that could allow macros to run without
warning under certain conditions.
Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found
at http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-044faq.asp.
Issue
=====
The primary vulnerability addressed by this patch is the "Excel SYLK"
vulnerability. Symbolic Link (SYLK) files can contain macros; if such a
file were opened in Excel 97 or 2000, the macro would run without asking
for the user's permission. These macros could take any action on the
computer that the user could take.
This patch also eliminates a vulnerability involving how Excel 97 imports
macros created by Lotus 1-2-3 or Quattro Pro. When such a macro is
imported, Excel 97 runs it without asking for the user's permission. These
macros could be used to delete files on the user's computer, but could take
no other action.
Affected Software Versions
==========================
- Microsoft Excel 97, whether shipped alone or as part of Office 97.
- Microsoft Excel 2000, whether shipped alone or as part of Office 2000.
Patch Availability
==================
- Excel 97:
http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/downloadDetails/Xl8p7pkg.htm
- Excel 2000:
http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/2000/downloadDetails/XL9p1pkg.htm
More Information
================
Please see the following references for more information related to this
issue.
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-044: Frequently Asked Questions,
http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-044faq.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q241900,
XL97: Opening Lotus 1-2-3 File May Execute Macro Without Warning,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q241/9/00.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q241901,
XL2000: Macro Virus Warning Does Not Appear Opening SYLK File,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q241/9/01.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q241902,
XL97: Macro Virus Warning Does Not Appear Opening SYLK File,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q241/9/02.asp.
- Microsoft Security Advisor web site,
http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.asp.
NOTE: It may take 24 hours from the original posting of this bulletin for
the KB articles to be visible.
Obtaining Support on this Issue
===============================
This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft
Technical Support is available at
http://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp.
Acknowledgments
===============
Microsoft acknowledges David Young of Derby, UK, for bringing the "Excel
SYLK" vulnerability to our attention.
Revisions
=========
- October 20, 1999: Bulletin Created.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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[End Microsoft Advisory]
______________________________________________________________________________
CIAC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Microsoft Corporation for the
information contained in this bulletin.
______________________________________________________________________________
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