Microsoft Help File Trojan Vulnerability

Bugtraq ID:	868
Class:	Configuration Error
CVE:
Remote:	No
Local:	Yes
Published:	Dec 10 1999 12:00AM
Updated:	Dec 10 1999 12:00AM
Credit:	Posted to Bugtraq by Pauli Ojanpera <[email protected]> on December 7, 1999.
Vulnerable:	Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 + Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 + Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server 4.0 + Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 + Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 + Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 + Microsoft Windows NT Terminal Server 4.0 + Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 + Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Microsoft Windows 98 Microsoft Windows 95
Not Vulnerable:

Microsoft Help File Trojan Vulnerability

The help files for the Windows Help system (*.cnt, *.hlp) can be edited so that they run an arbitrary executable when selected by a user. The executable will run at the privelege level of the user.

The *.cnt files are like tables of contents that tell the help system what to open when each topic is selected. These entries can be edited to cause system and DLL calls and programs to be executed when a topic is chosen. The help files themselves, *.hlp, can be edited in a similar manner.

Microsoft Help File Trojan Vulnerability

Solution:
Currently the SecurityFocus staff are not aware of any vendor supplied patches for this issue. If you feel we are in error or are aware of more recent information, please mail us at: [email protected].

Microsoft Help File Trojan Vulnerability

References: