Microsoft Office OWC10.Spreadsheet ActiveX BorderAround() Heap Corruption Vulnerability

August 11th, 2009
ZDI-09-056 ZDI-CAN-273

CVE ID

CVE-2009-2496

CVSS Score

None None

Affected Vendors

Microsoft

Affected Products

Office Word
Office Excel

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Microsoft Office. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page.

The specific vulnerability exists in the OWC10.Spreadsheet.10 ActiveX control installed by Microsoft Office. By accessing specific methods in a certain order heap corruption occurs leading to remote code execution. If exploited, complete control of the affected system can be achieved under the rights 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/MS09-043.mspx

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2007-12-11 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2009-08-11 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

Peter Vreugdenhil

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