Security Bulletin
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS13-026 - Important
Vulnerability in Microsoft Office for Mac Could Allow Information Disclosure (2813682)
Published: March 12, 2013 | Updated: March 15, 2013
Version: 1.1
General Information
Executive Summary
This security update resolves one privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Office for Mac. The vulnerability could allow information disclosure if a user opens a specially crafted email message.
This security update is rated Important for Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac and Microsoft Office for Mac 2011. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.
The security update addresses the vulnerability by helping to ensure that Microsoft Office for Mac does not download content from external sources without user consent. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.
Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update at the earliest opportunity.
See also the section, Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance, later in this bulletin.
Knowledge Base Article
| Knowledge Base Article | 2813682 |
|---|---|
| File information | None |
| SHA1/SHA2 hashes | Yes |
| Known issues | None |
Affected and Non-Affected Software
The following software have been tested to determine which versions or editions are affected. Other versions or editions are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
Affected Software
| Software | Maximum Security Impact | Aggregate Severity Rating | Updates Replaced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office for Mac | |||
| Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac (2817449) | Information Disclosure | Important | 2764048 in MS12-076 |
| Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 (2817452) | Information Disclosure | Important | 2764047 in MS12-076 |
Update FAQ
I am using an older release of the software discussed in this security bulletin. What should I do?
The affected software listed in this bulletin have been tested to determine which releases are affected. Other releases are past their support life cycle. For more information about the product lifecycle, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website.
It should be a priority for customers who have older releases of the software to migrate to supported releases to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. To determine the support lifecycle for your software release, see Select a Product for Lifecycle Information. For more information about service packs for these software releases, see Service Pack Lifecycle Support Policy.
Customers who require custom support for older software must contact their Microsoft account team representative, their Technical Account Manager, or the appropriate Microsoft partner representative for custom support options. Customers without an Alliance, Premier, or Authorized Contract can contact their local Microsoft sales office. For contact information, see the Microsoft Worldwide Information website, select the country in the Contact Information list, and then click Go to see a list of telephone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager. For more information, see the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ.
Vulnerability Information
Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers
The following severity ratings assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin's release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the March bulletin summary. For more information, see Microsoft Exploitability Index.
| Affected Software | Unintended Content Loading Vulnerability - CVE- 2013-0095 | Aggregate Severity Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office for Mac | ||
| Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac | ImportantInformation Disclosure | Important |
| Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 | Important Information Disclosure | Important |
Unintended Content Loading Vulnerability - CVE- 2013-0095
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in the way that Microsoft Entourage for Mac and Microsoft Outlook for Mac load specific content tags in an HTML5 email message.
To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2013-0095.
Mitigating Factors
Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.
Workarounds
Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability.
FAQ
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is an information disclosure vulnerability.
What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability is caused when a user previews or opens a specially crafted HTML email message and Microsoft Outlook for Mac or Microsoft Entourage for Mac allows content from a remote server to be loaded without user interaction.
What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker could identify that a specially crafted email message they sent was rendered in an HTML mail viewer. This could allow the attacker to confirm that the targeted email account is valid and that the specially crafted email has been read.
How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker could send a user a specially crafted HTML email message that contains HTML5 content tags. The vulnerability could be exploited when the user previews or opens the email message.
What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Systems that are running an affected version of Microsoft Outlook for Mac or Microsoft Entourage for Mac, and that have a WebKit browser installed, are primarily at risk.
What is WebKit?
WebKit is an open source layout engine that is used by other browsers, such as Apple Safari, to render webpages.
What does the update do?
The update addresses the vulnerability by helping to ensure that Microsoft Outlook for Mac and Microsoft Entourage for Mac do not download content from external sources without user consent.
When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure.
When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this security bulletin was originally issued.
Update Information
Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance
For customers of Microsoft Office for Mac, Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac can help keep your Microsoft software up to date. For more information about using Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac, see Check for software updates automatically.
Security Update Deployment
Affected Software
For information about the specific security update for your affected software, click the appropriate link:
Office 2008 for Mac
Prerequisites
- Mac OS X version 10.4.9 or later version on an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (500 MHz or faster) processor
- Mac OS X user accounts must have administrator privileges to install this security update
Installing the Update
Download and install the appropriate language version of the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.3.6 Update from the Microsoft Download Center.
- Quit any applications that are running, including virus-protection applications, all Microsoft Office applications, Microsoft Messenger for Mac, and Office Notifications, because they might interfere with installation.
- Open the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.3.6 Update volume on your desktop. This step might have been performed for you.
- To start the update process, in the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.3.6 Update volume window, double-click the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.3.6 Update application, and follow the instructions on the screen.
- If the installation finishes successfully, you can remove the update installer from your hard disk. To verify that the installation finished successfully, see the following "Verifying Update Installation" heading. To remove the update installer, first drag the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.3.6 Update volume to the Trash, and then drag the file that you downloaded to the Trash.
Verifying Update Installation
To verify that a security update is installed on an affected system, follow these steps:
- In the Finder, navigate to the Application Folder (Microsoft Office 2008: Office).
- Select the file, Microsoft Component Plugin.
- On the File menu, click Get Info or Show Info.
If the Version number is 12.3.6, the update has been successfully installed.
Restart Requirement
This update does not require you to restart your computer.
Removing the Update
This security update cannot be uninstalled.
Additional Information
If you have technical questions or problems downloading or using this update, see Microsoft for Mac Support to learn about the support options that are available to you.
Office for Mac 2011
Prerequisites
- Mac OS X version 10.5.8 or later version on an Intel processor
- Mac OS X user accounts must have administrator privileges to install this security update
Installing the Update
Download and install the appropriate language version of the Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.3.2 Update from the Microsoft Download Center.
- Quit any applications that are running, including virus-protection applications and all Microsoft Office applications, because they might interfere with installation.
- Open the Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.3.2 Update volume on your desktop. This step might have been performed for you.
- To start the update process, in the Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.3.2 Update volume window, double-click the Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.3.2 Update application, and follow the instructions on the screen.
- When the installation finishes successfully, you can remove the update installer from your hard disk. To verify that the installation finished successfully, see the following "Verifying Update Installation" heading. To remove the update installer, first drag the Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.3.2Update volume to the Trash, and then drag the file that you downloaded to the Trash.
Verifying Update Installation
To verify that a security update is installed on an affected system, follow these steps:
- In the Finder, navigate to the Application Folder (Microsoft Office 2011).
- Select Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook and launch the application.
- On the Application menu, click About Application_Name (where Application_Name is Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook).
If the Latest Installed Update Version number is 14.3.2, the update has been successfully installed.
Restart Requirement
This update does not require you to restart your computer.
Removing the Update
This security update cannot be uninstalled.
Additional Information
If you have technical questions or problems downloading or using this update, see Microsoft for Mac Support to learn about the support options that are available to you.
Other Information
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:
- Nick Semenkovich for reporting the Unintended Content Loading Vulnerability (CVE- 2013-0095)
Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP)
To improve security protections for customers, Microsoft provides vulnerability information to major security software providers in advance of each monthly security update release. Security software providers can then use this vulnerability information to provide updated protections to customers via their security software or devices, such as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based intrusion prevention systems. To determine whether active protections are available from security software providers, please go to the active protections websites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.
Support
How to obtain help and support for this security update
- Help installing updates: Support for Microsoft Update
- Security solutions for IT professionals: TechNet Security Troubleshooting and Support
- Help protect your computer that is running Windows from viruses and malware: Virus Solution and Security Center
- Local support according to your country: International Support
Disclaimer
The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.
Revisions
- V1.0 (March 12, 2013): Bulletin published.
- V1.1 (March 15, 2013): Corrected bulletin title and clarified affected version names in the vulnerability details and vulnerability FAQs.
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