IP: MS Windows bug lets attacker seize computer -- via email

[David Farber <farber@cis.upenn.edu>]

>From: Declan McCullagh <declan@well.com>
>
>
>http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/21459.html
>
>                     'A Flaw Worse Than Melissa'
>                     by Declan McCullagh (declan@wired.com)
>
>                     4:50 p.m.  26.Aug.99.PDT
>                     WASHINGTON -- A team of computer
>                     scientists has discovered a bug in tens of
>                     millions of Microsoft Windows computers that
>                     lets an attacker take control of a PC by
>                     sending an email message.
>
>                     The security hole, present in most copies
>                     of Windows 95 and all versions of
>                     Windows 98, would allow a malcontent to
>                     conceal malicious computer code in an
>                     email message or Web page that can
>                     surreptitiously modify files, reformat a
>                     hard drive, or execute any DOS
>                     command.
>
>                     [...remainder snipped...]
>
>
>Also the Usenix presentation on Active X vulnerabilities yesterday:
>  http://www.wired.com/news/news/business/story/21442.html
>
>And companies' reactions:
>  http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/21456.html
>
>
>
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