Vulnerability identifier: #VU1265

Vulnerability 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-2008-0081

CWE-ID: CWE-119

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
Microsoft Office for Mac
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications
Microsoft Excel
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications
Excel Viewer
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications

Vendor: Microsoft

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

The weakness exists due to a boundary error when handling macros in Excel files. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted Excel 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: this vulnerability was being actively exploited.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website:

Excel 2000 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=f7f90c30-1bfd-406b-a77f-612443e30185
Excel 2002 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=907f96d5-d1e9-4471-b41c-3ac811e63038
Excel 2003 Service Pack 2:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=296e5f2c-f594-41c8-a20a-3e4c40ae3948
Microsoft Office Excel Viewer 2003:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=280bb2ac-b21a-46b5-8751-5a50fbebf107
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=95DCEB37-B35F-46DB-B280-DB0F3B298AA9

Vulnerable software versions

Microsoft Office for Mac: 2004

Microsoft Excel:

Excel Viewer:

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External links
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms08-014.aspx

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

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

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.