Month: September 2011

Microsoft vulnerability, now served with plain text files

It is the year 2011 and we learn that even opening plain text files in Microsoft Windows is not as safe as you thought.

The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a legitimate rich text format file (.rtf), text file (.txt), or Word document (.doc) that is located in the same network directory as a specially crafted dynamic link library (DLL) file. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user.

You’ve got all your buzz words here: remote code execution; legitimate rich text, text, or Word document; network directory; local user rights, etc.  It’s good to know that it’s fixed.  Yet it’s still worrying as to what else is there …

Cyprus vs. Somalia : children vs. adults

Comparison between Cyprus and Somalia, children and adults is nothing more but a coincidence in my news stream.  Consider the two articles that appeared not next to each other, but near enough for me to group them here.

First, in incident in Cyprus, as reported by the Cyprus Mail.

AN ANNUAL festival in Anogyra village held to celebrate the honey and sesame sweet, pastelli, ended on a sour note on Saturday after three people were slightly injured in a fight over balloons.

Chairs and bottles were thrown in the fight between two families that resulted in four arrests and three people getting slightly injured.

Second, a little competition in Somalia, as reported by the Guardian.

An Islamist-backed radio station in Somalia has awarded assault rifles and hand grenades to the winners of a children’s Qur’an recital competition.

Andalus radio, which is run by al-Shabaab militia, said on Monday that the first prize was an AK-47 and £450. The runner-up received an AK-47 and £320, while the child who came third received two F1 hand grenades and £250. The three children also received religious books.

There goes my hope for the World Peace.

Septemberfest 2011

Cyprus Mail reports that a (hopefully) annual event is being organized first time this year in Nicosia.  Inspired by the famous Octoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany and, possibly, by Limassol Wine Festival, it should boost the Nicosia tourism a bit.

Six beer importing and producing companies will headline the festival, while customers will have the opportunity to choose from up to 49 different brands. Cyprus will be represented by its three local producing companies: KEO, Carlsberg and Leon, while 20 kiosks will be set up, with local pubs also participating.

Drinks, food, music, and a traditional in such cases funfair promise a lot of fun.  Septemberfest starts today, Wednesday, September 21st and will continue until the end of the week, Sunday, September 25th.  Entrance tickets are 5 EUR for adults, including free drink.  Children can go in for free, but my guess is that they won’t be served any alcohol.

Hopefully by the next year the organizers will build up a website of some sort.  Until then, there is a Facebook page that you can use to share photos and updates.