[NT] Microsoft Excel 2003 Malformed Formula Memory Corruption Vulnerability

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Microsoft Excel 2003 Malformed Formula Memory Corruption Vulnerability
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SUMMARY

<http://office.microsoft.com/excel/> Microsoft Excel is "the spread***
application that is included with Microsoft Corp's Office productivity
software suite". Remote exploitation of a memory corruption vulnerability
in Microsoft Corp.'s Excel 2003 could allow attackers to execute arbitrary
code in the context of the currently logged on user.

DETAILS

Vulnerable Systems:
* Excel 2003 SP2

This vulnerability specifically exists due to the improper handling of
malformed formulas. By creating a document containing a specially crafted
formula, an attacker is able to cause memory corruption that leads to
arbitrary code execution.

Analysis:
Exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context
of the currently logged on user. In order to exploit this vulnerability,
the attacker must persuade a user to open a specially crafted Excel (XLS)
document. Likely attack vectors include sending the file as an e-mail
attachment or linking to the file on a website.

Workaround:
Disabling support for legacy binary file formats in the registry will
prevent exploitation of this issue. However, this workaround is not
available for all versions of Microsoft Excel.

Vendor response:
Microsoft has officially addressed this vulnerability with Security
Bulletin MS08-014. A fix for this issue was originally included as part of
Office 2003 SP3. For more information, consult their bulletin at the
following URL:
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms08-014.mspx>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms08-014.mspx

CVE Information:
<http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-0115>
CVE-2008-0115

Disclosure Timeline:
07/27/2007 - Initial vendor notification
07/27/2007 - Initial vendor response
03/11/2008 - Coordinated public disclosure


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The information has been provided by iDefense Labs.
The original article can be found at:
<http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=672>
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=672



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