Update fixes critical Word vulnerability

Jun 11, 2009 09:30 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has released an update to patch a critical vulnerability discovered in the Mac version of its Office suite for Mac OS X. While the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.9 Update improves security, it also optimizes and prepares Office 2008 for Mac for the installation of Microsoft Entourage 2008 for Mac Web Services Edition, Microsoft has revealed.

“The Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.9 Update improves security,” Microsoft says on its Help & Support page. “It includes fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of a computer's memory by using malicious code. In addition, this update readies Office 2008 for Mac for the installation of Microsoft Entourage 2008 for Mac Web Services Edition. It must be installed before Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition is installed,” the Windows maker adds.

The company behind the Windows OS also mentions that the update actually delivers improvements for all Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac applications. On a more detailed note, MS points out to two privately reported vulnerabilities that this update resolves. The issues, MS asserts, “could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Word file. An attacker who successfully exploited either vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.”

Available for Mac OS X version 10.4.9 (Tiger) or a later version of Mac OS X, the update requires that users verify that their computer meets these minimum requirements. To verify that you have installed the update, open any Microsoft Office 2008 application to check the version number.

If you have trouble installing this update or using Office 2008 applications after you install it, make sure that the Microsoft Office 2008 folder is located in the Applications folder on the startup volume. Using the link below, you can immediately download Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.9.

Download Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.9 Update (Free)