Remote code execution in Microsoft Word



Published: 2008-07-08 | Updated: 2016-12-13
Risk Critical
Patch available YES
Number of vulnerabilities 1
CVE-ID CVE-2008-2244
CWE-ID CWE-119
Exploitation vector Network
Public exploit This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.
Vulnerable software
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Microsoft Word
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications

Microsoft Office
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications

Vendor Microsoft

Security Bulletin

This security bulletin contains one critical risk vulnerability.

1) Memory corruption

EUVDB-ID: #VU1267

Risk: Critical

CVSSv3.1: 8.9 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2008-2244

CWE-ID: CWE-119 - Memory corruption

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability alows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The weakness exists due to buffer overflow when handling malformed Word files. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted Word file, trick the victim into opening it, trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code on the target system with privileges of the current user.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability results in arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system.

Note: the vulnerability was being actively exploited.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website:

Microsoft Word 2002 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=c7146dfc-e1be-4d13-877b-1d9bcacc4a64
https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms08-026
Microsoft Word 2003 Service Pack 2:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=13a37b76-9fec-426f-8176-3c95f934efe0
https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms08-026
Microsoft Word 2003 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=13a37b76-9fec-426f-8176-3c95f934efe0
https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/ms08-026

Vulnerable software versions

Microsoft Word: 2002 - 2003

Microsoft Office: 2003 - XP

External links

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms08-042.aspx


Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

How the attacker can exploit this vulnerability?

The attacker would have to trick the victim to visit a specially crafted website or open a file.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, a fully functional exploit for this vulnerability is available.



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