[NT] Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word Allows Code Execution (MS07-014)

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Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word Allows Code Execution (MS07-014)
------------------------------------------------------------------------


SUMMARY

This update resolves several newly discovered, privately and publicly
reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word.

DETAILS

Affected Software:
* Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3
* Microsoft Word 2000 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=F1E61E6A-BE3D-4536-AF76-A11D5CE67199> Download the update (KB929139)
* Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3
* Microsoft Word 2002 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A1CA8DD7-0622-4D66-A85F-A6586545EF9D> Download the update (KB929061)
* Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2
* Microsoft Word 2003 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=882F8503-DA72-43C9-B556-A002EC58F289> Download the update (KB929057)
* Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=FB59798B-AFE2-4103-9991-CBDD7686F9AD> Download the update (KB924883)
* Microsoft Works Suites:
* Microsoft Works Suite 2004 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A1CA8DD7-0622-4D66-A85F-A6586545EF9D> Download the update (KB929061) (same as the Microsoft Word 2002 update)
* Microsoft Works Suite 2005 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A1CA8DD7-0622-4D66-A85F-A6586545EF9D> Download the update (KB929061) (same as the Microsoft Word 2002 update)
* Microsoft Works Suite 2006 -
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A1CA8DD7-0622-4D66-A85F-A6586545EF9D> Download the update (KB929061) (same as the Microsoft Word 2002 update)
* Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac - <http://www.microsoft.com/mac/>
Download the update (KB932185)

Non-Affected Software:
* 2007 Microsoft Office System
* Microsoft Office Word 2007

Word Malformed String Vulnerability - CVE-2006-5994:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way Microsoft Word
handles Word files with a specially crafted string. Such a specially
crafted file might be included as an e-mail attachment or hosted on a
malicious Web site. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by
constructing a specially crafted Word file that could allow remote code
execution.

Mitigating Factors for Word Malformed String Vulnerability -
CVE-2006-5994:
* 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 Word 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.

* Microsoft Office Word 2007 is not affected by this vulnerability.

* Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 is not affected by this vulnerability.

Workarounds for Word Malformed String Vulnerability - CVE-2006-5994:
* Do not open or save Microsoft Word files that you receive from
untrusted sources or that you received unexpectedly from trusted sources.
This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a file.

* Use Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 to open and view files. The Microsoft
Word Viewer 2003 is not affected by the issue. Users can download
Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 from the Microsoft Download Center.

FAQ for Word Malformed String Vulnerability - CVE-2006-5994:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. If a user
is 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
impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Word does not perform sufficient data validation when processing the
contents of a file. When Word opens a specially crafted Word file and
parses a malformed string, 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
complete control of the affected system.

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 convincing the user
to open the file. The vulnerability cannot be exploited via HTML or Rich
Text Format (RTF) e-mail even if a user has configured Word as their
e-mail editor.

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site
that contains a Word 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 does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft
Word handles certain strings.

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-2006-5994.

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.

Word Malformed Data Structures Vulnerability - CVE-2006-6456:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way Microsoft Word
handles Word files with a specially crafted data structure. Such a
specially crafted file might be included as an e-mail attachment or hosted
on a malicious Web site. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by
constructing a specially crafted Word file that could allow remote code
execution. Viewing or previewing a malformed e-mail message in an affected
version of Outlook could not lead to exploitation of this vulnerability.

Mitigating Factors for Word Malformed Data Structures Vulnerability -
CVE-2006-6456:
* 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 Word 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.

* Microsoft Office Word 2007 is not affected by this vulnerability.

Workarounds for Word Malformed Data Structures Vulnerability -
CVE-2006-6456:
* Do not open or save Microsoft Word files that you receive from
untrusted sources or that you received unexpectedly from trusted sources.
This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a file.

FAQ for Word Malformed Data Structures Vulnerability - CVE-2006-6456:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. If a user
is 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
impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Word does not perform sufficient data validation when processing the
contents of a file. When Word opens a specially crafted Word file and
parses a malformed data structure, 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
complete control of the affected system.

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 a Word 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 does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft
Word handles certain data structures.

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-2006-6456.

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.

Word Count Vulnerability CVE-2006-6561:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. An
attacker could exploit this vulnerability when Word parses a file and
processes an unchecked count. Such a specially crafted file might be
included as an e-mail attachment or hosted on a malicious Web site. An
attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially
crafted Word file that could allow remote code execution. Viewing or
previewing a malformed e-mail message in an affected version of Outlook
could not lead to exploitation of this vulnerability.

Mitigating Factors for Word Count Vulnerability CVE-2006-6561:
* 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 Word 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.

* Microsoft Office Word 2007 is not affected by this vulnerability.

Workarounds for Word Count Vulnerability CVE-2006-6561:
* Do not open or save Microsoft Word files that you receive from
untrusted sources or that you received unexpectedly from trusted sources.
This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a file.

FAQ for Word Count Vulnerability CVE-2006-6561:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. If a user
is 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
impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Word does not perform sufficient data validation when processing the
contents of a file. When Word opens a specially crafted Word file and
parses an unchecked count, 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
complete control of the affected system.

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 a Word 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 does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft
Word checks the count, 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-2006-6561.

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.

Word Macro Vulnerability CVE-2007-0208:
* A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. If a
user is 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 impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

Mitigating Factors for Word Macro Vulnerability CVE-2007-0208:
* 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 Word 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.

* Microsoft Office Word 2007 is not affected by this vulnerability.

* Microsoft Word 2000 and Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 are not affected by
this vulnerability.

Workarounds for Word Macro Vulnerability CVE-2007-0208:
* Do not open or save Microsoft Word files that you receive from
untrusted sources or that you received unexpectedly from trusted sources.
This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a file.

* Use Word Viewer 2003 to open and view files. The Word Viewer 2003 is
not affected by this issue. Users can download Microsoft Word Viewer 2003
from the Microsoft Download Center.

FAQ for Word Macro Vulnerability CVE-2007-0208:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. If a user
is 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
impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability results because Word incorrectly checks properties in a
modified document, causing it to not prompt the user with a macro security
warning when macros are present in the document.

What is a Macro?
Generally, the term macro refers to a small program that automates
frequently-performed tasks in an operating system or in a program. For
example, all members of the Office family of products support the use of
macros. This allows companies to develop macros that perform as
sophisticated productivity tools that run in Word, in Excel, or in other
programs. Like any computer program, macros can be misused. Malicious
software may be written as macros and then embedded in Office documents.
To mitigate this threat, Office has a security model that is designed to
make sure that macros can only run when the user wants them to run. By
using this vulnerability, an attacker might be able to run a macro without
warning the user that a macro is present in the document.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take
complete control of the affected system.

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability?
An attacker could seek to exploit this vulnerability by creating a
specially-crafted Word document that contained a malicious macro. The
attacker could then send it to a user, typically through an e-mail
message, and then persuade the user to open the document. As a result, if
the user were attacked by means of this vulnerability, the user's macro
security level could be reduced and other macros that would otherwise be
stopped by Word could be allowed to run. An attacker could also host the
specially-crafted Word document on a network share or on a Web site;
however, the attacker would still need to persuade the user to open the
document.

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site
that contains a Word 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 does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft
Word performs certain macro security controls when it opens a document.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been
publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through
responsible disclosure.

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.

Word Malformed Drawing Object Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0209:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. An
attacker could exploit this vulnerability when Word parses a file and
processes a malformed drawing object. Such a specially crafted file might
be included as an e-mail attachment or hosted on a malicious Web site. An
attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially
crafted Word file that could allow remote code execution.

Mitigating Factors for Word Malformed Drawing Object Vulnerability -
CVE-2007-0209:
* 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 Word 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.

* Microsoft Word 2003 and Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 are not affected by
this vulnerability.

* Microsoft Office Word 2007 is not affected by this vulnerability.

Workarounds for Word Malformed Drawing Object Vulnerability -
CVE-2007-0209:
* Do not open or save Microsoft Word files that you receive from
untrusted sources or that you received unexpectedly from trusted sources.
This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a file.

* Use Word Viewer 2003 to open and view files. The Word Viewer 2003 is
not affected by this issue. Users can download Microsoft Word Viewer 2003
from the Microsoft Download Center.

FAQ for Word Malformed Drawing Object Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0209:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. If a user
is 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
impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Word does not perform sufficient data validation when processing the
contents of a file. When Word opens a specially crafted Word file and
parses a malformed drawing object, 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
complete control of the affected system.

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 a Word 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 does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft
Word handles certain drawing objects.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been
publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through
responsible disclosure.

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.

Word Malformed Function Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0515:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. An
attacker could exploit this vulnerability when Word parses a file and
processes a malformed function. Such a specially crafted file might be
included as an e-mail attachment or hosted on a malicious web site.
Viewing or previewing a malformed e-mail message in an affected version of
Outlook could not lead to exploitation of this vulnerability. An attacker
could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted Word
file that could allow remote code execution.

Mitigating Factors for Word Malformed Function Vulnerability -
CVE-2007-0515:
* 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 Word 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.

* Microsoft Word 2002, Microsoft Word 2003, and Microsoft Word Viewer
2003 are not affected by this vulnerability.

* Microsoft Office Word 2007 is not affected by this vulnerability.

Workarounds for Word Malformed Function Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0515:
* Do not open or save Microsoft Word files that you receive from
untrusted sources or that you received unexpectedly from trusted sources.
This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a file.

* Use Word Viewer 2003 to open and view files. The Word Viewer 2003 is
not affected by this issue. Users can download
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=95E24C87-8732-48D5-8689-AB826E7B8FDF> Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 from the Microsoft Download Center.

FAQ for Word Malformed Function Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0515:
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word. An
attacker could exploit this vulnerability when Word parses a file and
processes a malformed function. Such a specially crafted file might be
included as an e-mail attachment or hosted on a malicious web site.
Viewing or previewing a malformed e-mail message in an affected version of
Outlook could not lead to exploitation of this vulnerability. An attacker
could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted Word
file that could allow remote code execution.

If a user is 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 impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Word does not perform sufficient data validation when processing the
contents of a file. When Word opens a specially crafted Word file and
parses a malformed function, 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
complete control of the affected system.

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 a Word 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 does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft
Word handles certain strings.

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-2007-0515.

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.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The information has been provided by Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-014.
The original article can be found at:
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms07-014.mspx>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms07-014.mspx



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