Microsoft Excel COUNTRY Record Memory Corruption Vulnerability
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Microsoft Office Excel. 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 a malformed Country (0x8c) record, user-supplied data may be used in a memory copy operation resulting in memory corruption. If successfully exploited remote control of the affected system can be obtained under the credentials of the currently logged in user.
Additional Details
Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-043.mspx
Disclosure Timeline
- 2008-04-16 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2008-08-12 - Coordinated public release of advisory
Credit
Anonymous
