Microsoft Excel Integer Overflow Vulnerability

Overview

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iPolicy Networks Security Advisory


Date Discovered:	10/14/2008
Severity:	High
Applications Affected:	Microsoft Office 2000 SP3 Microsoft Office XP SP3 Microsoft Office 2003 SP2 Microsoft Office 2003 SP3 Microsoft Office Excel Viewer 2003 Microsoft Office Excel Viewer 2003 SP3 Microsoft Office Excel Viewer

Synopsis

Microsoft Excel is prone to an integer overflow vulnerability. The specific flaw exists when parsing Microsoft Excel documents containing a specially crafted formula embedded inside a cell.

Recommended Actions

Update the patches as guided by vendor at :
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-057.mspx

Threat Analysis

A vulnerability exists in Excel REPT function allows for an integer overflow of the maximum cell length causing an exploitable condition. This can result in a remote compromise of the system under the context of the currently logged in user.

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs, view, change, delete data or create new accounts with full user rights.

References

http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4019

Write-up by: Aditya Chaturvedi

Security Sites

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