********************************************************************
Title: Microsoft Security Response Center Bulletin Notification
Issued: January 05, 2006
********************************************************************
Summary
=======
Important Information for Thursday 5 January 2006
Microsoft announced that it would release a security update to help protect customers from exploitations of a vulnerability in the Windows Meta File (WMF) area of code in the Windows operating system on Tuesday, January 2, 2006, in response to malicious and criminal attacks on computer users that were discovered last week.
Microsoft will release the update today on Thursday, January 5, 2006, earlier than planned.
Microsoft originally planned to release the update on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 as part of its regular monthly release of security bulletins, once testing for quality and application compatibility was complete. However, testing has been completed earlier than anticipated and the update is ready for release.
In addition, Microsoft is releasing the update early in response to strong customer sentiment that the release should be made available as soon as possible.
Microsoft's monitoring of attack data continues to indicate that the attacks are limited and are being mitigated both by Microsoft's efforts to shut down malicious Web sites and with up-to-date signatures form anti-virus companies.
The security update will be available at 2:00 pm PT as MS06-001.
Enterprise customers who are using Windows Server Update Services will receive the update automatically. In additional the update is supported Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.0, Systems Management Server, and Software Update Services. Enterprise customers can also manually download the update from the Download Center.
Microsoft will hold a special Web cast on Friday, January 6, 2006, to provide technical details on the MS06-001 and to answer questions.
Registration details will be available at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/default.mspx.
Microsoft will also be releasing additional security updates on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 as part of its regularly scheduled release of security updates.
What is this alert?
As part of the monthly security bulletin release cycle, Microsoft provides advance notification to our customers on the number of new security updates being released, the products affected, the aggregate maximum severity and information about detection tools relevant to the update. This is intended to help our customers plan for the deployment of these security updates more effectively.
In addition, to help customers prioritize monthly security updates with any non-security updates released on Microsoft Update, Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services and Software Update Services on the same day as the monthly security bulletins, we also provide:
. Information about the release of updated versions of the
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
. Information about the release of NON-SECURITY, High Priority
updates on Microsoft Update (MU), Windows Update (WU), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Software Update Services (SUS).
Note that this information will pertain ONLY to updates on Windows Update and only about High Priority, non-security updates being released on the same day as security updates. Information will NOT be provided about Non-security updates released on other days.
On 10 January 2006 Microsoft is planning to release:
Security Updates
. 1 Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Windows. The
highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. These updates may require a restart. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA).
. 1 Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Exchange and
Microsoft Office. The highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. These updates may require a restart. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA).
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
. Microsoft is planning to release an updated version of the
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services and the Download Center.
Note that this tool will NOT be distributed using Software Update Services (SUS).
Non-security High Priority updates on MU, WU, WSUS and SUS
. Microsoft is planning to release 1 NON-SECURITY High-Priority
Update on Windows Update (WU) and Software Update Services (SUS).
. Microsoft is planning release 3 NON-SECURITY High-Priority
Updates on Microsoft Update (MU) and Windows Server Update Services
(WSUS)
Although we do not anticipate any changes, the number of bulletins, products affected, restart information and severities are subject to change until released.
Microsoft will host a webcast next week to address customer questions on these bulletins. For more information on this webcast please see below:
. TechNet Webcast: Information about Microsoft's Security
Bulletins (Level 100)
. Wednesday, January 11, 2006 11:00 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time
(US & Canada
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1
032287360&EventCategory=4&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US
At this time no additional information on these bulletins such as details regarding severity or details regarding the vulnerability will be made available until 10 January 2006.
********************************************************************
Support:
========
Technical support is available from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PC SAFETY (1-866-727-2338). There is no charge for support calls associated with security updates.
International customers can get support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. Phone numbers for international support can be found
at: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Business and Developer Software ===============================================================
The Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy provides consistent and predictable guidelines for product support availability at the time that the product is released. Under this policy, Microsoft will offer a minimum of ten years of support. This includes five years of Mainstream Support and five years of Extended Support for Business and Developer products. Microsoft will continue to provide security update support, at a supported Service Pack level, for a minimum of ten years through the Extended support phase. For more information about the Microsoft Support Lifecycle, visit http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/ or contact your Technical Account Manager.
Additional Resources:
=====================
* Microsoft has created a free monthly e-mail newsletter containing
valuable information to help you protect your network. This
newsletter provides practical security tips, topical security
guidance, useful resources and links, pointers to helpful
community resources, and a forum for you to provide feedback
and ask security-related questions.
You can sign up for the newsletter at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/secnews/default.mspx
* Microsoft has created a free e-mail notification service that
serves as a supplement to the Security Notification Service
(this e-mail). The Microsoft Security Notification Service:
Comprehensive Version. It provides timely notification of any
minor changes or revisions to previously released Microsoft
Security Bulletins and Security Advisories. This new service
provides notifications that are written for IT professionals and
contain technical information about the revisions to security
bulletins. To register visit the following Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/notify.mspx
* Protect your PC: Microsoft has provided information on how you
can help protect your PC at the following locations:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
If you receive an e-mail that claims to be distributing a
Microsoft security update, it is a hoax that may be distributing a
virus. Microsoft does not distribute security updates via e-mail.
You can learn more about Microsoft's software distribution
policies here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/policy/swdist.mspx
********************************************************************
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.
********************************************************************
Title: Microsoft Security Response Center Bulletin Notification
Issued: January 05, 2006
********************************************************************
Summary
=======
Important Information for Thursday 5 January 2006
Microsoft announced that it would release a security update to help protect customers from exploitations of a vulnerability in the Windows Meta File (WMF) area of code in the Windows operating system on Tuesday, January 2, 2006, in response to malicious and criminal attacks on computer users that were discovered last week.
Microsoft will release the update today on Thursday, January 5, 2006, earlier than planned.
Microsoft originally planned to release the update on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 as part of its regular monthly release of security bulletins, once testing for quality and application compatibility was complete. However, testing has been completed earlier than anticipated and the update is ready for release.
In addition, Microsoft is releasing the update early in response to strong customer sentiment that the release should be made available as soon as possible.
Microsoft's monitoring of attack data continues to indicate that the attacks are limited and are being mitigated both by Microsoft's efforts to shut down malicious Web sites and with up-to-date signatures form anti-virus companies.
The security update will be available at 2:00 pm PT as MS06-001.
Enterprise customers who are using Windows Server Update Services will receive the update automatically. In additional the update is supported Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.0, Systems Management Server, and Software Update Services. Enterprise customers can also manually download the update from the Download Center.
Microsoft will hold a special Web cast on Friday, January 6, 2006, to provide technical details on the MS06-001 and to answer questions.
Registration details will be available at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/default.mspx.
Microsoft will also be releasing additional security updates on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 as part of its regularly scheduled release of security updates.
What is this alert?
As part of the monthly security bulletin release cycle, Microsoft provides advance notification to our customers on the number of new security updates being released, the products affected, the aggregate maximum severity and information about detection tools relevant to the update. This is intended to help our customers plan for the deployment of these security updates more effectively.
In addition, to help customers prioritize monthly security updates with any non-security updates released on Microsoft Update, Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services and Software Update Services on the same day as the monthly security bulletins, we also provide:
. Information about the release of updated versions of the
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.
. Information about the release of NON-SECURITY, High Priority
updates on Microsoft Update (MU), Windows Update (WU), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Software Update Services (SUS).
Note that this information will pertain ONLY to updates on Windows Update and only about High Priority, non-security updates being released on the same day as security updates. Information will NOT be provided about Non-security updates released on other days.
On 10 January 2006 Microsoft is planning to release:
Security Updates
. 1 Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Windows. The
highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. These updates may require a restart. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA).
. 1 Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Exchange and
Microsoft Office. The highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. These updates may require a restart. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA).
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
. Microsoft is planning to release an updated version of the
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services and the Download Center.
Note that this tool will NOT be distributed using Software Update Services (SUS).
Non-security High Priority updates on MU, WU, WSUS and SUS
. Microsoft is planning to release 1 NON-SECURITY High-Priority
Update on Windows Update (WU) and Software Update Services (SUS).
. Microsoft is planning release 3 NON-SECURITY High-Priority
Updates on Microsoft Update (MU) and Windows Server Update Services
(WSUS)
Although we do not anticipate any changes, the number of bulletins, products affected, restart information and severities are subject to change until released.
Microsoft will host a webcast next week to address customer questions on these bulletins. For more information on this webcast please see below:
. TechNet Webcast: Information about Microsoft's Security
Bulletins (Level 100)
. Wednesday, January 11, 2006 11:00 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time
(US & Canada
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1
032287360&EventCategory=4&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US
At this time no additional information on these bulletins such as details regarding severity or details regarding the vulnerability will be made available until 10 January 2006.
********************************************************************
Support:
========
Technical support is available from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PC SAFETY (1-866-727-2338). There is no charge for support calls associated with security updates.
International customers can get support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. Phone numbers for international support can be found
at: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx
Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Business and Developer Software ===============================================================
The Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy provides consistent and predictable guidelines for product support availability at the time that the product is released. Under this policy, Microsoft will offer a minimum of ten years of support. This includes five years of Mainstream Support and five years of Extended Support for Business and Developer products. Microsoft will continue to provide security update support, at a supported Service Pack level, for a minimum of ten years through the Extended support phase. For more information about the Microsoft Support Lifecycle, visit http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/ or contact your Technical Account Manager.
Additional Resources:
=====================
* Microsoft has created a free monthly e-mail newsletter containing
valuable information to help you protect your network. This
newsletter provides practical security tips, topical security
guidance, useful resources and links, pointers to helpful
community resources, and a forum for you to provide feedback
and ask security-related questions.
You can sign up for the newsletter at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/secnews/default.mspx
* Microsoft has created a free e-mail notification service that
serves as a supplement to the Security Notification Service
(this e-mail). The Microsoft Security Notification Service:
Comprehensive Version. It provides timely notification of any
minor changes or revisions to previously released Microsoft
Security Bulletins and Security Advisories. This new service
provides notifications that are written for IT professionals and
contain technical information about the revisions to security
bulletins. To register visit the following Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/notify.mspx
* Protect your PC: Microsoft has provided information on how you
can help protect your PC at the following locations:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
If you receive an e-mail that claims to be distributing a
Microsoft security update, it is a hoax that may be distributing a
virus. Microsoft does not distribute security updates via e-mail.
You can learn more about Microsoft's software distribution
policies here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/policy/swdist.mspx
********************************************************************
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.
********************************************************************
