Vulnerability: MS08-043. Microsoft Excel vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution (954066)
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Vulnerability name/brief description | Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954066) - MS08-043 |
| CVE/CAN name | CVE-2008-3003, CVE-2008-3004, CVE-2008-3005, CVE-2008-3006 |
| Vendor threat level | Critical |
| SophosLabs threat level | Medium |
| Solution | Users are advised to install the vendor patch MS08-043. Some workarounds are also documented in the vendor bulletin and include conversion of Microsoft Excel BIFF file format to a safer file format by using Microsoft Microsoft Office Isolated Conversion Environment (MOICE). |
| Vendor description | This security update resolves four privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Excel that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Excel file. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities 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 impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. |
| SophosLabs comments | There are four separate vulnerability fixed by the security patch associated with this bulletin. Three of them are serious and may allow an attacker to execute code remotely. Excel files are commonly used in targetted malware attacks, either by mailing a malformed files to the target of the attack or by putting a malformed Excel file on a website and enticing the user to open the file. |
| SophosLabs testing result | N/A |
| Currently known exploits | At the time of writing SophosLabs has seen no samples of malware attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Should this situation change samples will be analysed and we will take action as necessary. |
| First sample seen | N/A |
| Discovery date | 12 August 2008 |
| Affected software | Affected Software: Office Excel 2000 Office Excel 2002 Office Excel 2003 Office Excel 2007 Excel Viewer Excel Viewer 2003 SharePoint Server 2007 Office 2004 for Mac Office 2008 for Mac |
| References | http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-043.mspx http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-3004 http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-3003 http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-3005 http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-3006 http://labs.idefence.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=740 http://labs.idefence.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=741 |
| Credits | The vulnerability CVE-2008-3006 was shared with Sophos in advance of public disclosure by TippingPoint through its Zero Day Initiative |
| Revisions | 12 August 2008 - initial analysis written |
Explanation of terms
Vulnerability Name/Brief Description:
Vendor identifier plus a brief description of the type of attack.
CVE/CAN Name:
Currently assigned CVE name. If a CVE name doesn't exist the CAN name will be used until a CVE has been assigned.
Vendor Threat Level:
Threat level assigned by the vendor
SophosLabs Threat Level:
Threat level assigned by SophosLabs
- LOW RISK - There is little chance of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
- MEDIUM RISK - There is a possibility of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
- HIGH RISK - There is a strong possibility of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
- CRITICAL RISK - This vulnerability will almost certainly be actively exploited by malware.
Solution:
Vendor-supplied Patch identifier and recommended solution, or workaround if applicable.
Vendor Description:
Summary of the cause and potential effect of the vulnerability provided by the vendor.
SophosLabs Comments:
SophosLabs' opinions and observations of the vulnerability in question.
SophosLabs Testing Result:
Details of completed lab testing, if applicable. Please note that the lab test environment may differ significantly from user environments.
Currently Known Exploits:
List of identities for known exploits, if applicable.
First Sample Seen:
Date of the first sample seen by SophosLabs.
Discovery Date:
Date of the earliest known publically disclosed advisory.
Affected Software:
Vulnerable platforms and software versions.
If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.
- Article ID: 43684
- Created: 13 Aug 2008
- Last updated: 21 Oct 2008
