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Alerts | Zero-Day Tracker | EEYEZD-20080115

Common Name:
Excel Unspecified Exploit

Date Disclosed:
1/15/2008

Date Patched:
3/11/2008

Vendor:
Microsoft

Application:
Microsoft Excel 2003 SP2 and Prior
Microsoft Excel Viewer 2003
Microsoft Excel 2002 (XP)
Microsoft Excel 2000
Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac

Description:
A remote code execution vulnerability exists within Microsoft Excel which may allow for a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code under the context of the logged in user. This vulnerability requires user interaction. In a web-based scenario (e-mail, Web site), a user would still have to open a file manually, as it would not be auto-opened.
NOTE: This information is gathered from the referenced Microsoft Advisory (947563). eEye Research is currently searching for an exploit sample to investigate the vulnerability further and will update this entry soon thereafter.

Severity:
High

Code Execution:
Yes

Impact:
Arbitrary code execution under the context of the logged in user
This client-side file-format vulnerability has high impact potential for targeted attacks against networks. These attacks could be used to gain sensitive information, install botnet software, as well as many other common exploitations. Although Office files are not auto-opened by most web browsers and e-mail clients, the severity of this vulnerability should not be overlooked.

Mitigation:
Since a vendor-supplied patch has been released, the best form of mitigation is to apply MS08-014.

Protection:
Patch:
MS08-014

Links:
Microsoft Security Advisory (947563): Vulnerability in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution
CVE-2008-0081

Status:
1/15/2008: Original Advisory Posted
3/11/2008: MS08-014 Released