Buffer overflow in Microsoft products - CVE-2006-1540

Detailed vulnerability description

The vulnerability allows a remote user to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to boundary error when handling malformed strings in Office documents. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted Office file, trick the victim into opening it and execute arbitrary code with privileges of the current user.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability results in compromise of vulnerable system.

Note: this vulnerability is being actively exploited.

How to mitigate CVE-2006-1540

Install update from vendor's website:

• Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 - Download the update (KB917151)
• Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3 - Download the update (KB917150)
• Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3 - Download the update (KB917152)
• Microsoft Project 2002 Service Pack 1 - Download the update (KB917150)
• Microsoft Visio 2002 Service Pack 2 - Download the update (KB917150)
• Microsoft Project 2000 Service Release 1 Download the update (KB917152)
• Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac
• Microsoft Office v. X for Mac

Sources

• https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms06-038.aspx