Microsoft Office 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 contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.
The vulnerability exists due to improper processing of malformed values within Microsoft Office documents. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability by convincing the user to view a malicious document. If successful, the attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of a targeted user.
Microsoft has confirmed the vulnerability in a security bulletin and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
The following Microsoft products are affected:
Office XP SP3 and prior
Office 2004 for Mac
Office 2008 for Mac
Office 2011 for Mac
Open XML File Format Converter for Mac
IntelliShield Analysis
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must convince a targeted user to view a malicious document. Attackers may include documents as attachments to e-mail messages delivered to the user or attempt to convince the user to follow a link to a file on a remote file share or website. The attacker may also use social engineering techniques to make a user more interested in opening a provided document.
Mac OS X systems and Windows systems on which users run applications with limited privileges may be at less risk of an exploit, as any code execution as a result of an exploit would run in a restricted security context.
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created an Applied Mitigation Bulletin to address vulnerabilities that Microsoft disclosed in the November 2010 security bulletin release. This 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: MS10-087
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system with the privileges of the user. If that user holds elevated privileges, the attacker could completely compromise the targeted system.
Technical Information
The vulnerability exists due to improper processing of malformed SQL process IDs (SPID) within Microsoft Office documents.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious document. When opened, the document could trigger memory corruption. The attacker could leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code on the system with the privileges of the user.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate software updates.
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
The security vulnerability applies to the following combinations of products.
Primary Products:
Microsoft, Inc.
Office
XP (2002) Base, SP1, SP2, SP3
Microsoft, Inc.
Office for Mac
2004 Base | 2008 Base | 2011 Base
Microsoft, Inc.
Open XML File Format Converter for Mac
1.0 .0, .1, .2
Associated Products:
N/A
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