Exobox Technologies Corp (EXBX)

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Hurry, Call Exobox: Microsoft warns of PowerPoint virus

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/07/21/microsoft.virus.reut/index.html

Friday, July 21, 2006; Posted: 3:41 p.m. EDT (19:41 GMT)

Microsoft issued an advisory on the company's security Web log on July 17 about the virus, which is carried out when a user launches a PowerPoint attachment to an e-mail or opens a file provided to them by the attacker.

Hackers could also lure users to a Web page that offers content or advertisements containing a file that exploits the PowerPoint software, Microsoft said. The vulnerability applies to PowerPoint 2000, 2002 and 2003.

Once the user triggers the corrupt PowerPoint file, the virus installs a keystroke logging system to capture everything typed on the machine. It also leaves the machine open to having a hacker install other malicious programs.

"It installs a backdoor and allows for all types of software to be downloaded on the computer and the computer can be remotely controlled," said Alfred Huger, a security expert at Symantec Corp.

Microsoft said it was completing development of a security update to fix the vulnerability and was on schedule to release the patch on August 8, or sooner, as part of a monthly security update. The company reported a "limited" number of attacks.