UPDATED: MS Word - password protection vulnerabilty

[Andrew Barkley <abarkle3 () csc com>]

Hi ...


There are several vulnerabilities published/discussed regarding MS Word (MS Office) in general, however, 'tis is the 
most "no brainer" I've discovered ...


Vulnerability:
Password protected document that has "tracked changes, comments or forms" password protected

Vulnerable:
MS Word (Win2K/XP)


Example 1
1) Open MS Word with a new/blank page
2) Now select "Insert" >> "File" >> browse for your password protected doc & select "Insert" & "Insert" password 
protected doc into your new/blank doc
3) Now select "Tools" & Whey hey, voila, there's no longer an "Unprotect document" ... password vanished ...

Example 2
1) Open your password protected doc in MS Word i.e. you can't edit protected fields (apparently)
2) Save as a Rich Text Format (RTF) & keep this RTF file open in MS Word (YES, keep open)
3) Whilst your new RTF file is open in MS Word, go "File Open" & find your newly saved RTF file & open (YES, you DO 
need to do 'tis even though you already have it open)
4) If prompted to revert say YES, if not prompted stay calm.  Now in your MS Word menu go & "Unprotect document", 
amazingly, voila, you don't get prompted for a password


Change password if ya like & or save in whatever format if ya like ...


L0phtphrack ;-/