Microsoft Windows, Office, and Internet Explorer Vulnerabilities

US-CERT Systems Affected

* Microsoft Windows

* Microsoft Office (Windows and Mac)

* Microsoft Internet Explorer

Overview

Microsoft has released updates that address critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Office, and Internet Explorer. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow aremote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on a vulnerable system.

Note that one of the updates released today addresses a critical vulnerability in the Microsoft Server Service (MS06-040). We have received reports that this vulnerability is actively being exploited. The most recent version of this document can be found at: http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-220A.html

I. Description

Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for August 2006 addresses vulnerabilities in Microsoft products including Windows, Office, and Internet Explorer.

One of the updates released today addresses a critical vulnerability in the Microsoft Server Service (MS06-040). More details are available in Vulnerability Note VU#650769.

Note that we have received reports that VU#650769 is actively being exploited.

II. Impact

A remote, unauthenticated attacker could execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. An attacker may also be able to cause a denial of service.

III. Solution

Apply updates from Microsoft

Microsoft has provided updates for these vulnerabilities in the Security Bulletins released on August 8, 2006.

When prioritizing, it is strongly encouraged that the update for VU#650769 be applied first.

Updates for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office XP and later are available on the Microsoft Update site. Microsoft Office 2000 updates are available on the Microsoft Office Update site.Apple Mac OS X users should obtain updates from the Mactopia web site.

System administrators may wish to consider using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

Appendix B. References