Microsoft issues critical patches

Exchange servers and computers running the Flash player are at risk of remote code execution attacks without the update


Microsoft on Tuesday released three security updates, two of which address critical flaws in its Exchange email server and third-party software in Windows.


Critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Calendar and Adobe's Macromedia Flash Player in Windows can lead to remote execution of code on a user's system, according to Microsoft's security bulletins.

The software giant also issued a "moderate" update for flaws in Windows, according to the bulletin. A malicious attacker could launch a denial-of-service attack by sending a specially crafted network message through the system to exploit the flaw.

The critical Microsoft Exchange flaws affect Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 with Post-Service Pack (SP) 3, Microsoft Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server, and Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 with SP 1 or SP 2.

"An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted message that could potentially allow remote code execution when an Exchange Server processes an email with certain... properties," according to Microsoft's bulletin. Security firm Symantec said the Microsoft Exchange flaw is the most serious of the three.

"Because the majority of Exchange servers are configured to receive emails from anonymous users, this vulnerability has the potential to manifest itself in the form of a worm if machines are not properly patched," Oliver Friedrichs, Symantec Security Response director, said in a statement.

Microsoft also issued a Windows update for what it described as critical flaws in Adobe's Macromedia Flash Player 5 and 6. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by constructing a malicious Flash animation file. Users visiting a Web site containing the specially crafted file may find their computer system taken over.

The Flash flaws affect Windows XP Home Edition, with SP 1 or SP 2; XP Professional; Windows 98 with Gold service pack or SP1; Windows 98 SE with Gold service pack; and Windows ME with Gold service pack.



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