Security Basics mailing list archives

RE: MS Outlook/Outlook Express Preview Pane Security Issue?


From: "Justin F. Knox" <jknox () indexzero org>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2004 19:15:13 -0500


Is there any security/privacy risk in enabling the preview pane in
Microsoft
Outlook and Outlook Express even when latest patches are installed?

I'd say yes, because it's still unsecured even with the latest round of
patches. Now Outlook 2003's preview pane won't download images or render
script, unless you turn it on. For that I'd still say no, but I've been
testing it out and haven't had a problem yet. I just use Auto Preview in
Outlook, work ok and renders in plain text.

I'd have to agree here. On any installation of Outlook that I'm to use, the
first thing to turn off is the preview pane. Simply because it renders
everything (or just about...). Very dangerous. It kind of defeats the
purpose of telling your users not to open e-mails with 'blah' for an
attachment if their MUA does it for them.

just my $0.02.

--Justin


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