• Article

Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-048 - Critical

Patch Available for "Active Setup Control" Vulnerability

Published: November 11, 1999

Version: 1.0

Originally Posted: November 11, 1999

Summary

Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a vulnerability that could allow a malicious user to embed an unsafe executable within an email and disguise it as a safe type of attachment. Through a complicated series of steps, the unsafe executable could be made to execute under certain conditions, if the user opened the attachment.

Frequently asked questions regarding this vulnerability can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/fq99-048.mspx.

Issue

A particular ActiveX control allows cabinet files to be launched and executed. This could allow an HTML mail to contain a malicious cabinet file, disguised as a file of an innocuous type. If a user attempted to open this file, the operation would fail but could, depending on the mail package, leave a copy of the file in a known location. The ActiveX control could then be used via a script embedded in the mail to launch the copy, thereby executing the malicious code.

The vulnerability could only be exploited in cases where a mail reader were used that allowed scripts in HTML mail and stored temporary copies of launched programs in known locations. The patch restricts the ability of the control to launch unsigned cabinet files that have been downloaded from the local machine.

Affected Software Versions

  • The affected ActiveX control ships as part of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 and 5

Vulnerability Identifier: CVE-2000-0329

Patch Availability

  • https://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
  • https:
  • </https:>https: Note   Microsoft produces security patches for Internet Explorer 4.01 SP2 and higher. In the event that this package is applied to Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1, the package states that a fix is not needed. This message is incorrect, as the vulnerability does exist on Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1. If you are using Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1, please upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer to resolve this issue.

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 Technical Support is available at </https:>https:.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft acknowledges Juan Carlos Garcia Cuartango of Spain for bringing this issue to our attention.

Revisions

  • November 11, 1999: Bulletin Created.

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