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Microsoft Excel File Format Parsing Vulnerability

March 14th, 2006

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Microsoft Office. Exploitation requires that the attacker coerce the target into opening a malicious .XLS file.

The specific flaw exists within the parsing of the BIFF file format used by Microsoft Excel. During the processing of malformed BOOLERR records, user-supplied data may be insecurely referenced thereby leading to the eventual execution of arbitrary code.

Additional Details

Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-012.mspx

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2006-01-24 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2006-03-14 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

Arnaud Dovi aka 'class101', http://heapoverflow.com

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