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

["Kurt" <kurtbuff () spro net>]

I beg to differ.

First thing *I* do with Outlook (I use OL2k, don't use OE - hate it) is
set security on it, and turn off everything.

Go to Tools/Options/Security/Zone Settings/Custom Settings, and disable
everything.

Preview pane has not ever bitten me. I'm sure that's in part because I'm
just very careful anyway, but setting security does do a lot. As well,
I'm using Zone Alarm, and it strips all executable attachments (google
for Martin Blackstone's List of Danger).

-----Original Message-----
From: Justin F. Knox [mailto:jknox () indexzero org]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 16:15
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: MS Outlook/Outlook Express Preview Pane Security Issue?



> > 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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