Access member only content, take part in discussions with comments on blogs, news and reviews and receive all the latest security industry news directly to your inbox. Join now for free.
A confirmation email has been sent to your email address - SUPPLIED EMAIL HERE. Please click on the link in the email to verify your email address. You need to verify your email before you can start posting.
If you do not receive your confirmation email within the next few minutes, it may be because the email has been captured by a junk mail filter. Please ensure you add the domain @scmagazine.com.au to your white-listed senders.
The May 'Patch Tuesday' release fixes 14 different flaws in various versions of Office and PowerPoint for both MacOS X and Windows systems.
The vulnerabilities in Office 2000 systems have been given Microsoft's highest security rating of 'critical'. All other versions of Office and PowerPoint are being considered at a lower 'important' risk rating.
The company has been acknowledging unpatched security flaws in PowerPoint since early April, and the vulnerabilities were a topic of discussion at last month's RSA security conference.
Among the patched flaws are holes which could allow an attacker to remotely execute code on all of the affected versions of Office and PowerPoint. McAfee Avert Labs research and communication director David Marcus noted that Office files have been a popular method of infection as of late.
"Vulnerabilities in Office applications have been a favorite attack method among cybercrooks, especially in stealthy attacks that seek to steal high-value intellectual property," said Marcus.
"Trojan horse attacks often use rigged Office files that exploit vulnerabilities in the productivity suite."
To begin commenting right away, you can log in below or register an account if you don't yet have one. Please read our guidelines on commenting. Offending posts will be removed and your access may be suspended. Abusive or obscene language will not be tolerated. The comments below do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of SC Magazine, Haymarket Media or its employees.