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Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS99-030)
======================================
Patch Available for Office "ODBC Vulnerabilities"
Originally Posted: August 20, 1999
Summary
-------
Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates security vulnerabilities in
the Microsoft(r) Jet database engine. The vulnerabilities could affect any
application that runs atop Jet, and could allow a database query to take
virtually any action on a user's computer. Microsoft recommends that all
customers who are running applications that use Jet, especially users of
Microsoft Office97 and Office2000, install the patch.
Additional information and frequently asked questions regarding this
vulnerability can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-030faq.asp
Issue
-----
Jet is a database engine used by Microsoft products such as Microsoft
Office97 and Office2000. Two vulnerabilities exist in Jet:
- The "VBA Shell" vulnerability, which affects all versions of Jet
except Jet 4.0. An operating system command embedded within a
database query could be executed when the query is processed.
This would allow a spreadsheet, database, or other application
file that contained such a query to take virtually any action on
the user's computer when the query was executed.
- The "Text I-ISAM" vulnerability, which affects all versions of Jet.
Jet provides a way to modify the contents of text files, as a means of
allowing data exchange between it and other systems. However, a
malicious user could use this capability to modify system files via
a database query.
Microsoft Office uses the Jet engine, and Office users are particularly at
risk from these vulnerabilities. (The "VBA Shell" vulnerability affects all
versions of Office prior to Office2000, and also affects one member of the
Office2000 suite, Access2000. The "Text I-ISAM" vulnerability affects all
versions of Office). The vulnerabilities are an especially serious threat
to Office users for three reasons:
- Scenarios for exploiting these vulnerabilities via Office documents
are publicly known.
- The ubiquity of Office would make it an attractive target for
mounting attacks via these vulnerabilities.
- The ability of Office documents to perform Document Object Hosting
would permit users to be attacked simply by visiting a malicious
user's web site.
Microsoft Jet also is used by several other Microsoft products, as well as
many third party applications. However, the ability to exploit this
vulnerability through these products is highly dependent on the specific
application. Although Microsoft has not identified a means of exploiting
these vulnerabilities through any Microsoft products except Office, we
recommend that all customers who have Microsoft Jet installed on their
computer update it. This will ensure that they are protected against any
possible attacks that may be developed.
Affected Software Versions
==========================
- Microsoft Jet, all versions
NOTE: Jet serves as the database engine for a number of Microsoft products,
including but not limited to:
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Visual Studio
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Streets & Trips
Jet also serves as the database engine for many third-party software
products. The patch does not require any change to any of the applications
that use Jet; instead, it operates directly on the Jet database engine and
restores proper functionality to it.
Patch Availability
==================
- http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/articles/mdac_typ.htm
NOTE: A patch is available for Jet 3.5 and all subsequent versions. Older
versions of Jet are no longer supported, and we recommend that affected
customers upgrade to a supported version.
NOTE: The OfficeUpdate site automatically detects the version of Jet that is
installed on a machine, and applies the correct patch. The patch is
suitable for widespread deployment via Microsoft(r) Systems Management
Server(r). Users who wish to manually apply patches for specific versions
of Jet should consult the FAQ for information on how to do this.
More Information
================
Please see the following references for more information related to this
issue. Please note that it may take 24 hours from the original posting of
this bulletin for all of the KB articles to be visible on the Microsoft web
site.
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS99-030: Frequently Asked Questions,
http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/MS99-030faq.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q239114,
ACC2000: Updated Version of Microsoft Jet 4.0 Available on MS,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q239/1/14.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q172733,
Updated Version of Microsoft Jet 3.5 Available on MSL,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q172/7/33.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q239482,
ACC2000: Jet 4.0 Expression can Execute Unsafe VBA Functions,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q239/4/82.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q239104,
Access97: Jet Expression can Execute Query with Unsafe VBA Functions,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q239/1/04.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q239471,
ACC2000: Text I-ISAM Allows Users to Append Lines Into System Files,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q239/4/71.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q239105,
ACC97: Text I-ISAM Allows Users to Append Lines Into System Files,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q239/1/05.asp.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article Q172733,
Updated Version of Microsoft Jet 3.5 Available on MSL,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q172/7/33.asp.
- Microsoft KB article Q141796,
How to Identify the Jet Database Engine Components,
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q141/7/96.asp.
- Microsoft Security Advisor web site,
http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.asp.
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 Juan Carlos Cuartango of Spain for bringing this
issue to our attention.
Revisions
=========
- August 20, 1999: Bulletin Created.
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