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Microsoft Excel malformed description memory corruption vulnerability

Vulnerability Note VU#235774

Original Release Date: 2006-03-14 | Last Revised: 2006-03-14

Overview

Microsoft Excel contains a memory corruption vulnerability. This vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.

Description

Microsoft Excel fails to properly validate description fields in Excel data files. When a file with a malformed description is opened in Excel, system memory can be corrupted in a way that may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.

More information is available in MS06-012.

Impact

A remote unauthenticated attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code.

Solution

Apply a patch from your vendor
Microsoft addresses this vulnerability with the updates listed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-012.


Do not access Excel files from untrusted sources

By only accessing Excel files, such as spreadsheets, from trusted or known sources, the chances of exploitation are reduced.

Vendor Information

235774
 
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Microsoft Corporation Affected

Updated:  March 14, 2006

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

Please see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS06-012.mspx.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.


CVSS Metrics

Group Score Vector
Base
Temporal
Environmental

References

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS06-012.mspx

Acknowledgements

This issue was reported in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-012. Microsoft credits Dejun of the Fortinet Security Response Team with providing information regarding these issues.

This document was written by Jeff Gennari.

Other Information

CVE IDs: CVE-2006-0029
Severity Metric: 30.38
Date Public: 2006-03-14
Date First Published: 2006-03-14
Date Last Updated: 2006-03-14 19:59 UTC
Document Revision: 15

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