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HistoryFeb 13, 2007 - 12:00 a.m.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-015 Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (932554)

2007-02-1300:00:00
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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-015
Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (932554)
Published: February 13, 2007

Version: 1.0
Summary

Who Should Read this Document: Customers who use Microsoft Office

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution

Maximum Severity Rating: Critical

Recommendation: Customers should apply the update immediately

Security Update Replacement: This bulletin replaces a prior security update. See the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section of this bulletin for the complete list.

Caveats: None

Tested Software and Security Update Download Locations:

Affected Software:

Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3 — Download the update (KB 929062)

Microsoft Access 2000

Microsoft Excel 2000

Microsoft FrontPage 2000

Microsoft Outlook 2000

Microsoft PowerPoint 2000

Microsoft Publisher 2000

Microsoft Word 2000

Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3 — Download the update (KB926063)

Microsoft Access 2002

Microsoft Excel 2002

Microsoft FrontPage 2002

Microsoft Outlook 2002

Microsoft PowerPoint 2002

Microsoft Publisher 2002

Microsoft Visio 2002

Microsoft Word 2002

Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2 — Download the update (KB929064)

Microsoft Access 2003

Microsoft Excel 2003

Microsoft Excel 2003 Viewer

Microsoft FrontPage 2003

Microsoft InfoPath 2003

Microsoft OneNote 2003

Microsoft Outlook 2003

Microsoft PowerPoint 2003

Microsoft Project 2003

Microsoft Publisher 2003

Microsoft Visio 2003

Microsoft Word 2003

Microsoft Excel 2003 Viewer

Microsoft Word 2003 Viewer

Microsoft Project 2000 Service Release 1 — Download the update (KB929062)

Microsoft Project 2002 Service Pack 1 — Download the update (KB929063)

Microsoft Visio 2002 Service Pack 2 — Download the update (KB929063)

Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac — Download the update (KB932185)

Non-Affected Software:

2007 Microsoft Office System

Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2

Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 Viewer

Microsoft Works Suites:

Microsoft Works Suite 2004

Microsoft Works Suite 2005

Microsoft Works Suite 2006

The software in this list has been tested to determine whether the versions are affected. Other versions either no longer include security update support or may not be affected. To determine the support life cycle for your product and version, visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site.
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General Information

Executive Summary

Executive Summary:

This update resolves two newly discovered, privately and publicly reported vulnerabilities. Each vulnerability is documented in its own subsection in the "Vulnerability Details" section of this bulletin.

When using vulnerable versions of Office, if a user were logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could take complete control of the system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

We recommend that customers apply the update immediately.

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers:
Vulnerability Identifiers Impact of Vulnerability Microsoft Office 2000 Microsoft Office XP Microsoft Office 2003 Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac

PowerPoint Malformed Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-3877

Remote Code Execution

Critical

Important

Important

Important

Excel Malformed Record Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0671

Remote Code Execution

Critical

Important

Important

Important

This assessment is based on the types of systems that are affected by the vulnerability, their typical deployment patterns, and the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would have on them.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

What updates does this release replace?
This security update replaces a prior security update. The security bulletin ID and affected operating systems are listed in the following table.
Bulletin ID Microsoft Office 2000 Microsoft Office XP Microsoft Office 2003 Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac

MS06-062

Replaced

Replaced

Replaced

Replaced

How is this update related to MS06-058?
Further investigation of CVE-2006-3877 as originally detailed in MS06-058 revealed that the update was not effective in removing the vulnerability from affected systems. This security bulletin has been issued to properly address CVE-2006-3877 and customers should apply the updates in this bulletin immediately.

Why does this update replace MS06-062 and not MS06-058?
Further investigation of CVE-2006-3877 revealed that fixing the vulnerability in PowerPoint.exe was not effective. This update has been issued and installs a version of mso.dll that effectively addresses CVE-2006-3877. Because this security bulletin is a mso.dll update, it replaces the previous mso.dll update which is MS06-062.

Can I use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) to determine whether this update is required?
The following table provides the MBSA detection summary for this security update.
Product MBSA 1.2.1 MBSA 2.0

Microsoft Office 2000

Yes

No

Microsoft Office XP

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Office 2003

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac

No

No

Note MBSA 1.2.1 uses an integrated version of the Office Detection Tool (ODT) which does not support remote scans of this security update. For more information about MBSA, visit the MBSA Web site.

For more information about MBSA, visit the MBSA Web site. For more information about the programs that Microsoft Update and MBSA 2.0 currently do not detect, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 895660.

For more detailed information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 910723.

Can I use Systems Management Server (SMS) to determine whether this update is required?
The following table provides the SMS summary for this security update.
Software SMS 2.0 SMS 2003

Microsoft Office 2000

Yes

No

Microsoft Office XP

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Office 2003

Yes

Yes

Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac

No

No

SMS uses MBSA for detection. Therefore, SMS has the same limitation that is listed earlier in this bulletin related to programs that MBSA does not detect.

For SMS 2.0, the SMS SUS Feature Pack, which includes the Security Update Inventory Tool, can be used by SMS to detect security updates. SMS SUIT uses the MBSA 1.2.1 engine for detection. For more information about the Security Update Inventory Tool, visit the following Microsoft Web site. For more information about the limitations of the Security Update Inventory Tool, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 306460. The SMS SUS Feature Pack also includes the Microsoft Office Inventory Tool to detect required updates for Microsoft Office applications.

For SMS 2003, the SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates can be used by SMS to detect security updates that are offered by Microsoft Update and that are supported by Windows Server Update Services. For more information about the SMS 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates, visit the following Microsoft Web site. SMS 2003 can also use the Microsoft Office Inventory Tool to detect required updates for Microsoft Office applications.

Note If you have used an Administrative Installation Point for deploying Office 2000, Office XP or Office 2003, you may not be able to deploy the update using SMS if you have updated the AIP from the original baseline.

For more information about how to change the source for a client computer from an updated administrative installation point to an Office 2000 original baseline source or Service Pack 3 (SP3) see, Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 932889.

For more information on how to change the source for a client computer from an updated administrative installation point to an Office XP original baseline source or Service Pack 3 (SP3), see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 922665.

For more information about how to change the source for a client computer from an updated administrative installation point to an Office 2003 original baseline source or Service Pack 2 (SP2) see, Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 902349.

For more information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.
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Vulnerability Details

PowerPoint Malformed Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-3877:

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in PowerPoint and could be exploited when PowerPoint opened a specially crafted file. Such a file might be included in an e-mail attachment or hosted on a malicious web site. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted PowerPoint file that could allow remote code execution.

If a user were logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this 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. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less affected than users who operate with administrative user rights.

Mitigating Factors for PowerPoint Malformed Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-3877:

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site that contains a PowerPoint file that is used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a malicious Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link that takes them to the attacker's site.

The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message.

Users who have installed and are using the Office Document Open Confirmation Tool for Office 2000 will be prompted with Open, Save, or Cancel before opening a document. The features of the Office Document Open Confirmation Tool are incorporated in Office XP and Office 2003.

2007 Microsoft Office System is not affected by this vulnerability.

PowerPoint 2003 Viewer is not affected by this vulnerability.
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Workarounds for PowerPoint Malformed Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-3877:

Do not open or save Microsoft PowerPoint files that you receive from untrusted sources or that you receive unexpectedly from trusted sources. This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a specially crafted file.
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FAQ for PowerPoint Malformed Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2006-3877:

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in PowerPoint and could be exploited when PowerPoint opens a file containing malformed record. Such a file might be included in an e-mail attachment or hosted on a malicious web site. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted PowerPoint file that could allow remote code execution.

If a user were logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this 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. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less affected than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability is caused when PowerPoint opens a specially crafted PowerPoint file which will result in the access of memory outside intended regions when parsing placeholder data.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause arbitrary code to run with the privileges of the user who opened the file.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or instant messenger message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.

In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially-crafted PowerPoint file to the user and by persuading the user to open the file.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that PowerPoint parses the file and validates the record before passing it to the allocated buffer.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly disclosed when this security bulletin was originally issued. This security bulletin addresses the privately disclosed vulnerability as well as additional issues discovered through internal investigations.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers and had not seen any examples of proof of concept code published when this security bulletin was originally issued.
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Excel Malformed Record Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0671:

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel and could be exploited when Excel opened a specially crafted file. Such a file might be included in an e-mail attachment or hosted on a malicious web site. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted Excel file that could allow remote code execution.

If a user were logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this 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. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less affected than users who operate with administrative user rights.

Mitigating Factors for Excel Malformed Record Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0671:

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site that contains an Excel file that is used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a malicious Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link that takes them to the attacker's site.

The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message.

Users who have installed and are using the Office Document Open Confirmation Tool for Office 2000 will be prompted with Open, Save, or Cancel before opening a document. The features of the Office Document Open Confirmation Tool are incorporated in Office XP and Office 2003.

2007 Microsoft Office System is not affected by this vulnerability.
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Workarounds for Excel Malformed Record Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0671:

Do not open or save Microsoft Excel files that you receive from untrusted sources or that you receive unexpectedly from trusted sources. This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a specially crafted file.
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FAQ for Excel Malformed Record Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0671:

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel and could be exploited when Excel opens a file containing malformed record. Such a file might be included in an e-mail attachment or hosted on a malicious web site. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted Excel file that could allow remote code execution.

If a user were logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this 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. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less affected than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability is caused when Excel opens a specially crafted Excel file which will results in the access of memory outside intended regions when parsing placeholder data.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause arbitrary code to run with the privileges of the user who opened the file.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or instant messenger message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.

In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially-crafted Excel file to the user and by persuading the user to open the file.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Excel parses the file and validates the record before passing it to the allocated buffer.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
Yes. This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed. It has been assigned Common Vulnerability and Exposure number CVE-2007-0671.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
Yes. When the security bulletin was released, Microsoft had received information that this vulnerability was being exploited.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:

Chris Ries of VigilantMinds Inc. for reporting the PowerPoint Malformed Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability (CVE-2006-3877).

Disclaimer:

The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.

Revisions:

V1.0 (February 13, 2007): Bulletin published.