Vulnerability identifier: #VU1367

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 8.3 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2009-0559

CWE-ID: CWE-121

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Microsoft Excel
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications
Microsoft Office
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications

Vendor: Microsoft

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

The weakness exists due to stack-based buffer overflow when parsing of the Excel spreadsheet file format. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted Excel file containing an overly long string copy, 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.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website:

Microsoft Office Excel 2000 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=dd16e243-b8e2-4afb-86b6-4d60214598eb
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=143568
Microsoft Office Excel 2002 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=dd80ce95-0aec-4493-b9d1-c3dad95c3415
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=143568

Vulnerable software versions

Microsoft Excel:

Microsoft Office: 2000

---

External links
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms09-021.aspx

---

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.