Patch Available for 'Word Mail Merge' Vulnerability

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Originally posted: October 5, 2000

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Summary
Issue
Affected Software Versions
Patch Availability
More Information
Obtaining Support on this Issue
Revisions

Summary

Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability in Microsoft® Word 2000 and 97. The vulnerability could allow a malicious user to run arbitrary code on a victim's computer without their approval.

Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability and the patch can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq00-071.mspx.

Issue

If an Access database is specified as a data source via DDE in a Word mail merge document, macro code can run without the user's approval when the user opens that document.

If a user could be enticed into opening a specially constructed mail merge Word document, which was provided either as an e-mail attachment or as a link hosted on a hostile web site, it would be possible to cause arbitrary code to run on the user's machine. For such an attack to succeed, the victim would also need the ability to reach the Access database via a UNC share or file:// protocol. If the user is behind a firewall and security best practices have been followed, the ports required to access the database would be blocked.

Affected Software Versions

  • Microsoft Word 2000

  • Microsoft Word 97

Patch Availability

Microsoft Word 2000

Click here to copy wrdacc.exe to your computer

Microsoft Word 97: Patch will be available shortly

More Information

Please see the following references for more information related to this issue.

Obtaining Support on this Issue

This is a fully supported patch. Information on contacting Microsoft Product Support Services is available at https://support.microsoft.com/support/contact/default.asp

Revisions

  • October 5, 2000: Bulletin Created.

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