Microsoft Office Excel File Format DATETIME Record Parsing Vulnerability
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 user 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 DATETIME 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/MS06-059.mspx
Disclosure Timeline
- 2006-06-15 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2006-10-10 - Coordinated public release of advisory
Credit
Manuel Santamarina Suarez
