Sourcefire launches free security tool to protect Microsoft Office applications

 

SOURCEFIRER LAUNCHES FREE SECURITY TOOL TO PROTECT MICROSOFT OFFICE
APPLICATIONS 

 

OfficeCat Tool Enables Users to Identify Potential Network Security Risks
Introduced by Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word Files 

 

Columbia, MD-December 6, 2006 -- Open source innovator and Snort creator,
Sourcefire, Inc., a leader in network intrusion prevention, today announced
the availability of OfficeCat, a free security tool that enables users to
easily identify potentially threatening Microsoft OfficeR files.  Unlike
products that detect attempts to exploit known Microsoft vulnerabilities,
OfficeCat can determine if a file contains hostile content before it is
opened.

 

"OfficeCat is the latest example of Sourcefire's commitment to the open
source community," said Robert Wagner, coordinator of the Chicago Snort
Users Group.  "By enabling users to easily evaluate files for possible
threats, OfficeCat provides us with the ability to protect against the
rapidly growing number of exploits against Microsoft OfficeR applications."


 

According to the SANS Institute, in 2006 there has been rapid growth in
exploits against Microsoft OfficeR vulnerabilities known to provide hackers
with the ability to penetrate an organization's network by using the
weaknesses to install and execute code on hosts that support the affected
application.  Available as freeware at www.officecat.org, OfficeCat examines
Microsoft WordR, PowerPointR, and ExcelR files to determine if possible
exploit conditions exist.  OfficeCat provides reference information on
discovered vulnerabilities so users can remediate risks.  By detecting these
hostile files before they are opened, OfficeCat enables users to proactively
increase the effectiveness of their security efforts.

 

OfficeCat was developed by the Sourcefire Vulnerability Research Team (VRT)
to detect security risks that are often overlooked by other technologies,
including anti-virus.  The Sourcefire VRT is a group of leading edge
intrusion detection and prevention experts working to proactively discover,
assess, and respond to the latest trends in hacking activity, intrusion
attempts and vulnerabilities.  OfficeCat was developed by the VRT through
research aimed at creating rules for Snort, the open source intrusion
detection and prevention system created by Sourcefire. With more than
3,000,000 downloads and 100,000 registered users, Snort is the world's most
widely deployed intrusion prevention technology. To create effective rules,
the VRT conducts ongoing research into Microsoft OfficeR vulnerabilities and
will regularly update OfficeCat with the latest vulnerability information. 

 

"As security threats continue to evolve, Sourcefire is dedicated to
delivering solutions for both commercial users and the open source community
that enable users to protect themselves from attacks against their networks
and information," said Matt Watchinski, Director of the Sourcefire VRT.
"OfficeCat fills a unique need among users to identify potential avenues of
attack that can significantly impact their network security.  As one of the
leading network security research organizations, our goal is to provide
users with the best possible security backed by the latest discoveries."

 

 

About Sourcefire
Sourcefire, Inc., a world leader in intrusion prevention, is transforming
the way organizations manage and minimize network security risks with its 3D
Approach - Discover, Determine, Defend - to securing real networks in
real-time. The company's network defense system unifies intrusion and
vulnerability management technologies to provide customers with superior
network security. Founded in 2001 by the creator of SnortR, Sourcefire is
headquartered in Columbia, MD and has been consistently recognized for its
innovation and industry leadership by customers, media, and industry
analysts alike - with more than 18 awards and accolades since January 2005
alone.  Recently, the company was positioned in the Leaders Quadrant of
Gartner's "Magic Quadrant for Network Intrusion Prevention System
Appliances" report and the Sourcefire 3D System was named "Best Security
Solution," at the 2006 SC Magazine Awards. At work in leading Fortune 1000
and government agencies, the names Sourcefire and founder Martin Roesch have
grown synonymous with innovation and intelligence in network security. 

 

For more information about Sourcefire, please visit
http://www.sourcefire.com.

 

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SOURCEFIRER, SNORTR, the Sourcefire logo, the Snort and Pig logo, SECURITY
FOR THE REAL WORLDT, SOURCEFIRE DEFENSE CENTERT, SOURCEFIRE 3DT, RNAT and
certain other trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Sourcefire, Inc. in the United States and other countries.  

 

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Office are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.