eBay halts auction of Excel flaw

Iria · Dec 9, 2005, 09:56 PM

An online auction of a "brand new vulnerability" in Microsoft Excel had reached about $60 when eBay pulled the item late Thursday.

A seller using the name "fearwall" started the auction Wednesday evening at 1 cent. It was up to $56 on Thursday afternoon with 21 bids placed, and eBay quashed the auction soon after that.

The online auctioneer removed the item because it contravened its guidelines, eBay spokeswoman Catherine England said Friday. "The listing was pulled for violating our policy against encouraging illegal activity," she said in an e-mailed statement.

Microsoft is aware of the reported flaw and has been working with eBay on the matter, a company representative said in a statement. "This possible vulnerability was being auctioned on eBay, but has now been removed," the representative said.
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Read More / Source: ZDNet

Dec 9, 2005, 09:56 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	eBay halts auction of Excel flaw An online auction of a "brand new vulnerability" in Microsoft Excel had reached about $60 when eBay pulled the item late Thursday. A seller using the name "fearwall" started the auction Wednesday evening at 1 cent. It was up to $56 on Thursday afternoon with 21 bids placed, and eBay quashed the auction soon after that. The online auctioneer removed the item because it contravened its guidelines, eBay spokeswoman Catherine England said Friday. "The listing was pulled for violating our policy against encouraging illegal activity," she said in an e-mailed statement. Microsoft is aware of the reported flaw and has been working with eBay on the matter, a company representative said in a statement. "This possible vulnerability was being auctioned on eBay, but has now been removed," the representative said. ____________ Read More / Source: ZDNet