Microsoft Security Worries

OneCare Fails to Detect Unpatched Word Exploit

[ClickPress, Tue Feb 06 2007] BitDefender® Labs, issued a warning today stating that security software from Microsoft® fails to protect users from a flaw in Microsoft software - in this case an unpatched vulnerability in Word 2000 which, when exploited, gives an attacker complete control over the target system. Microsoft acknowledged that the flaw is being exploited in the wild in "targeted attacks" but as of Monday, February 5, Microsoft OneCare antivirus fails to detect these exploits and there is as yet no patch for the flaw.

The exploit consists of a crafted Word document. This can be distributed via e-mail or hosted on a website – any unprotected computer on which such a document is opened would become infected.

BitDefender is, as of today, one of only seven security companies to add detection for this exploit, under the name of Trojan.Dropper.Binder.B. As a result, BitDefender users are protected even in the absence of a patch for the exploited flaw.

"It seems that resting on laurels is the norm in this industry, rather than the exception,” commented Bogdan Dumitru, BitDefender CTO. “Companies which are taking up almost 80% of the consumer security software market between themselves all failed to react to a known and well-publicized threat. As for Microsoft, any doubts about the quality and fitness of their security software, or indeed about the company's 'commitment to security' should have vanished just about now."

For further information on the Trojan.Dropper.Binder.B, please see BitDefender’s Defense Center: http://www.bitdefender.com/site/VirusInfo

About BitDefender®
BitDefender is a leading global provider of security solutions that satisfy the protection requirements of today's computing environment. The company offers one of the industry's fastest and most effective lines of security software, setting new standards for threat prevention, timely detection and mitigation. BitDefender delivers products and services to over 41 million home and corporate users in more than 180 countries. BitDefender has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Romania. Further information about BitDefender can be obtained by visiting: http://www.bitdefender.com.

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U.S. Media Contact:
Peter Gorman, Topaz Partners
Phone: +1 781-404-2430
Email: BitDefender@TopazPartners.com

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