Software Engineering Institute

The Microsoft Windows Win32 API is a set of application programming interfaces for the Microsoft Windows operating system. The Win32 API allows applications to interact with the Windows operating system. The Microsoft Windows Win32 API fails to properly validate function parameters.

By convincing a user to view a specially crafted HTML document (e.g., a web page or an HTML email message or attachment), an attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Any application that uses the Win32 API, such as Internet Explorer or Outlook Express, may be vulnerable.

Apply an update

This update is addressed by Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-035.

Read and send email in plain text format

According to the Microsoft Security Bulletin:

You can help protect yourself against this vulnerability by changing your e-mail settings to read e-mail messages in plain text using Outlook 2002 and later, Outlook Express 6 and later, or Windows Mail. For information in Outlook, search “plain text” in Help and review “Read messages in plain text.” In Outlook Express, search “plain text” in Help and review “Reducing your risk of getting e-mail viruses.” In Windows Mail, search “plain text” in Help and review “Security and privacy in Windows Mail.”
Please also consider the security of fellow Internet users and send email in plain text format when possible.