Microsoft Office PowerPoint contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system with the privileges of a targeted user. Updates are available.
Description
Microsoft Office PowerPoint contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system with the privileges of a targeted user.
The vulnerability is due to insufficient boundary restrictions on parameters in Microsoft Office PowerPoint documents. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious PowerPoint document. If successful, the attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Microsoft has confirmed the vulnerability in a security bulletin and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2002 SP3 and prior and Office PowerPoint 2003 SP3 and prior are affected.
IntelliShield Analysis
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must convince a user to view a malicious document. The attacker may provide documents as attachments to e-mail messages sent to users or by convincing a user to follow a link to a malicious document. Attackers may also use social engineering techniques in an attempt to make the user believe the message came from a trusted source.
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created an Applied Mitigation Bulletin to address vulnerabilities that Microsoft disclosed in the November 2010 security bulletin release. The Cisco bulletin, which assists administrators in identifying or mitigating these vulnerabilities using Cisco devices, is available at the following link: Cisco Applied Mitigation Bulletin: Microsoft Security Bulletin Release for November 2010
Vendor Announcements
Microsoft has released a security bulletin at the following link: MS10-088
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. If that user holds elevated privileges, the attacker could completely compromise the targeted system.
Technical Information
The vulnerability is due to insufficient boundary restrictions on parameters in Microsoft Office PowerPoint documents. The application fails to properly check data in PowerPoint 95 filetypes.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious document. When processed, the document could trigger memory corruption, which the attacker could take advantage of to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate software updates.
Administrators may consider restricting access to the pp7x32.dll library to prevent PowerPoint from opening legacy file formats.
Users are advised not to open e-mail messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in e-mail messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.
Administrators are advised to monitor critical systems.
Administrators may consider using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) scan tool to identify common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on system endpoints.
Patches/Software
Microsoft customers can obtain updates directly by using the links in the security bulletin. These updates are also distributed by Windows automatic update features and available on the Windows Update website. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Systems Management Server, and System Center Configuration Manager can assist administrators in deploying software updates.
Signatures
Cisco Systems Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) 6.0
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