Interesting People mailing list archives

IP: MS Windows bug lets attacker seize computer -- via email


From: David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1999 09:39:13 -0400



From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>


http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/21459.html

                    'A Flaw Worse Than Melissa'
                    by Declan McCullagh (declan () wired com)

                    4:50 p.m.  26.Aug.99.PDT
                    WASHINGTON -- A team of computer
                    scientists has discovered a bug in tens of
                    millions of Microsoft Windows computers that
                    lets an attacker take control of a PC by
                    sending an email message.

                    The security hole, present in most copies
                    of Windows 95 and all versions of
                    Windows 98, would allow a malcontent to
                    conceal malicious computer code in an
                    email message or Web page that can
                    surreptitiously modify files, reformat a
                    hard drive, or execute any DOS
                    command.

                    [...remainder snipped...]


Also the Usenix presentation on Active X vulnerabilities yesterday:
 http://www.wired.com/news/news/business/story/21442.html

And companies' reactions:
 http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/21456.html



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