[NT] Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Allows Code Execution (MS06-059)

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Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Allows Code Execution (MS06-059)
------------------------------------------------------------------------


SUMMARY

Several vulnerabilities discovered in different versions of Microsoft
Excel that allow remote attackers to cause the product to execute
arbitrary code.

DETAILS

Affected Software:
* Microsoft Excel 2000 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A4B2A672-481B-4AF6-89FE-DE8D321D99E0> Download the update (KB923090)
* Microsoft Excel 2002 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D86620E8-C77A-45A9-9FF3-0A6AAF308984> Download the update (KB923089)
* Microsoft Office Excel 2003 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A81A8537-E2B0-4629-8973-40C4F32D9728> Download the update (KB923088)
* Microsoft Office Excel Viewer 2003 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=74C72657-634D-4C31-A366-C68043FE3B34> Download the update (KB923088)
* Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac - <http://www.microsoft.com/mac/>
Download the update (KB924999)
* Microsoft Excel v. X for Mac - <http://www.microsoft.com/mac/>
Download the update (KB924998)
* Microsoft Works Suite 2004 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D86620E8-C77A-45A9-9FF3-0A6AAF308984> Download the update (KB923089) (same as the Microsoft Excel 2002 update)
* Microsoft Works Suite 2005 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D86620E8-C77A-45A9-9FF3-0A6AAF308984> Download the update (KB923089) (same as the Microsoft Excel 2002 update)
* Microsoft Works Suite 2006 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D86620E8-C77A-45A9-9FF3-0A6AAF308984> Download the update (KB923089) (same as the Microsoft Excel 2002 update)

Excel Malformed DATETIME Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-2387>
CVE-2006-2387:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel. An attacker could
exploit this vulnerability when Excel parses a file and processes a
malformed DATETIME record.

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 DATETIME Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-2387>
CVE-2006-2387:
* 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
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=8B5762D2-077F-4031-9EE6-C9538E9F2A2F> 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.

Workarounds Excel Malformed DATETIME Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-2387>
CVE-2006-2387:
* 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.

FAQ for Excel Malformed DATETIME Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-2387>
CVE-2006-2387:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel. An attacker could
exploit this vulnerability when Excel parses a file and processes a
malformed DATETIME record.

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?
Excel does not perform sufficient data validation when processing the
contents of an .xls file. When Excel opens a specially crafted Excel file
and parses a malformed DATETIME record, it may corrupt system memory in
such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take any
action on the system that the user who opened the file could take.

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

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.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be
at more risk if users who have sufficient administrative permissions are
given the ability 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 a 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.

Excel Malformed STYLE Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3431>
CVE-2006-3431:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel. An attacker could
exploit this vulnerability when Excel parses a file and processes a
malformed STYLE record.

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 STYLE Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3431>
CVE-2006-3431:
* 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
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=8B5762D2-077F-4031-9EE6-C9538E9F2A2F> 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.

Workarounds for Excel Malformed STYLE Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3431>
CVE-2006-3431:
Microsoft has tested the following workarounds. While these workarounds
will not correct the underlying vulnerability, they help block known
attack vectors. When a workaround reduces functionality, it is identified
in the following section.

* 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.

* Download and run the
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=CC37E08C-1019-4AE8-A258-0D5412876DEC&displaylang=en&Hash=D46V6Q7> "Office 2003 Add-in: Desktop Language Settings" tool to change the configured language settings for Office.

* Modify the value of InstallLanguage to Non-Double Byte characters
(DBCS)
Modifying the InstallLanguage registry key helps protect the affected
system from attempts to exploit this vulnerability.

Note Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee
that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be
solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. For information about how to
edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in
Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or view the "Add and Delete Information in
the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe.

Note We recommend backing up the registry before you edit it.

For Windows 2000:
Note Make a note of the permissions that are listed in the dialog box so
that you can restore them to their original values at a later time
1. Click Start, click Run, type "regedt32" (without the quotation marks),
and then click OK.
2. Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER, expand the following subkeys; Software,
Microsoft, Office, 11.0, Common.
3. Click LanguageResources, and then double-click InstallLanguagevalue to
bring up the Edit DWORD value dialog box.
4. Change the value to one that represents a non East Asian language value
such as U.S. English's value of 409 and click OK.

Note For a list of other Language ID's refer to the following
<http://support.microsoft.com/?id=324097> Knowledge Base Article 324097.

For Windows XP Service Pack 1 or later operating systems:
Note Make a note of the permissions that are listed in the dialog box so
that you can restore them to their original values at a later time

1. Click Start, click Run, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks),
and then click OK.
2. Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER, expand the following subkeys; Software,
Microsoft, Office, 11.0, Common.
3. Click LanguageResources, and then double-click InstallLanguagevalue to
bring up the Edit DWORD value dialog box.
4. Change the value to one that represents a non East Asian language value
such as U.S. English's value of 409 and click OK.

Note For a list of other Language ID's refer to the following
<http://support.microsoft.com/?id=324097> Knowledge Base Article 324097.

Impact of Workaround: Special Unicode characters in spreadsheets may fail
to display as the proper symbol.

FAQ for Excel Malformed STYLE Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3431>
CVE-2006-3431:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel. An attacker could
exploit this vulnerability when Excel parses a file and processes a
malformed STYLE record.

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?
Excel does not perform sufficient data validation when processing the
contents of an .xls file. When Excel opens a specially crafted Excel file
and parses a malformed STYLE record, it may corrupt system memory in such
a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take any
action on the system that the user who opened the file could take.

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

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.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be
at more risk if users who have sufficient administrative permissions are
given the ability 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
validates the length of a record before it passes the message to the
allocated buffer.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been
publicly disclosed?
Yes. While the initial report was provided through responsible disclosure,
the vulnerability was later disclosed publicly. This security bulletin
addresses the publicly 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 seen examples of proof of concept code published
publicly but had not received any information to indicate that this
vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this
security bulletin was originally issued.

Excel Handling of Lotus 1-2-3 File Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3867>
CVE-2006-3867:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel. An attacker could
exploit this vulnerability when Excel handles a Lotus 1-2-3 file.

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 Handling of Lotus 1-2-3 File Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3867>
CVE-2006-3867:
* 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 Lotus 1-2-3 file which Excel opens 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
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=8B5762D2-077F-4031-9EE6-C9538E9F2A2F> 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.

Workarounds for Excel Handling of Lotus 1-2-3 File Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3867>
CVE-2006-3867:
* Do not open or save Lotus 1-2-3 files using Microsoft Excel 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.

FAQ for Excel Handling of Lotus 1-2-3 File Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3867>
CVE-2006-3867:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel. An attacker could
exploit this vulnerability when Excel handles a Lotus 1-2-3 file.

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?
When Excel opens a specially crafted Lotus 1-2-3 file, it may corrupt
system memory in such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take any
action on the system that the user who opened the file could take.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
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 Lotus 1-2-3 file which Excel opens 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

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers are primarily at risk. Servers could be
at more risk if users who have sufficient administrative permissions are
given the ability 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
validates the length of a record before it passes the message 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-2006-3867.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports
that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had seen examples of proof of concept code published
publicly but had not received any information to indicate that this
vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers when this
security bulletin was originally issued.

Malformed COLINFO Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3875>
CVE-2006-3875:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel. An attacker could
exploit this vulnerability when Excel parses a file and processes a
malformed COLINFO record.

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 Malformed COLINFO Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3875>
CVE-2006-3875:
* 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.

Workarounds for Malformed COLINFO Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3875>
CVE-2006-3875:
* 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.

FAQ for Malformed COLINFO Record Vulnerability -
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-3875>
CVE-2006-3875:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Excel. An attacker could
exploit this vulnerability when Excel parses a file and processes a
malformed COLINFO record.

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?
Excel does not perform sufficient data validation when processing the
contents of an .xls file. When Excel opens a specially crafted Excel file
and parses a malformed COLINFO record, it may corrupt system memory in
such a way that an attacker could execute arbitrary code.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take any
action on the system that the user who opened the file could take.

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 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 users who have sufficient administrative permissions are
given the ability 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
validates the length of a record before it passes the message 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.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The information has been provided by Microsoft Security Bulletin.
The original article can be found at:
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-059.mspx>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-059.mspx



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