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                        National Cyber Alert System

                  Technical Cyber Security Alert TA06-283A


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

   Original release date: October 10, 2006
   Last revised: --
   Source: US-CERT


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.


I. 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. Two of the 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.

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


II. 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.


III. 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

     * US-CERT Vulnerability Notes for Microsoft October 2006 updates -
       <http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/byid?searchview&query=ms06-oct>

     * Securing Your Web Browser -
       <http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/securing_browser/>

     * Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for October 2006 -
       <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-oct.mspx>

     * Microsoft Update - <https://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/>

     * Microsoft Office Update - <http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/>

     * End of support for Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows XP Service
       Pack 1 -
       <http://www.microsoft.com/windows/support/endofsupport.mspx#EHB>

     * Windows Server Update Services -
       <http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/updateservices/default.mspx>


 _________________________________________________________________

   The most recent version of this document can be found at:

     <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-283A.html>
 _________________________________________________________________
 
 Feedback can be directed to US-CERT Technical Staff. Please send
 email to <cert@cert.org> with "TA06-283A Feedback VU#703936" in the
 subject.
 _________________________________________________________________

 Produced 2006 by US-CERT, a government organization.

 Terms of use:

   <http://www.us-cert.gov/legal.html>

 _________________________________________________________________

   Revision History

   October 10, 2006: Initial release

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