Microsoft Office users at risk from serious flaw
( 2003-09-04 15:40) (Xinhua)
Microsoft issued another flock
of security alerts Wednesday, including notice of a "critical" flaw that affects
many users of its Office software, Cnet News reported.
The most serious flaw could allow an attacker to gain control of a vulnerable
computer. Microsoft urged customers to download a proper patch to correct the
problem.
The flaw affects recent versions of Office softwares, including the 2002,
2000 and 97 versions of Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word. Several softwares
sold under Microsoft's Business Solutions brand also are at risk, including
version 7.5 of the Great Plains accounting software.
Several other alerts Microsoft issued also involve Office applications. Those
flaws are rated as "moderate" or "low" risk.
Microsoft has vowed to improve security and reliability of its software,
which has been hit by several high-profile flaws this year. The Slammer virus
nearly brought the Internet to a halt in January while the Blaster crippled
hundreds of thousands of computers in August.
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