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Vulnerability: MS10-036 - Vulnerabilities in COM validation in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (983235)

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Details
Vulnerability name/brief description

MS10-036 - Vulnerabilities in COM validation in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (983235)

CVE/CAN name CVE-2010-1263
Vendor threat level Important
SophosLabs threat level Medium
Solution

MS10-036

Vendor description This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in COM validation in Microsoft Office. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Excel, Word, Visio, Publisher, or PowerPoint file with an affected version of Microsoft Office.
SophosLabs comments Certain versions of various Microsoft Office software applications incorrectly handle or validate COM object instantiation. As a result, a remote code execution vulnerability exists that can be exploited by an attacker to successfully take complete control of an affected system. However, as the vulnerability does not worm its way via emails except through email attachments and relies on user action, the effect of this vulnerability is expected to be mitigated.

SophosLabs has not seen any reports with regards to exploitation of the above listed vulnerability and regards this threat level as Medium.
SophosLabs testing result N/A
Currently known exploits At the time of writing SophosLabs have not observed any malware attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Should this situation change samples will be analyzed and we will take action as necessary.
First sample seen N/A
Discovery date 8th June 2010
Affected software Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office Excel 2003 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office Publisher 2003 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office Word 2003 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Office Word 2007 Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Office Word 2007 Service Pack 2
References http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS10-036.mspx
http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=cve-2010-1263
Credits Microsoft MAPP
Revisions 8th June 2010 - Initial analysis written

Explanation of terms

Vulnerability Name/Brief Description:
Vendor identifier plus a brief description of the type of attack.

CVE/CAN Name:
Currently assigned CVE name. If a CVE name doesn't exist the CAN name will be used until a CVE has been assigned.

Vendor Threat Level:

Threat level assigned by the vendor

SophosLabs Threat Level:
Threat level assigned by SophosLabs

  • LOW RISK - There is little chance of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
  • MEDIUM RISK - There is a possibility of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
  • HIGH RISK - There is a strong possibility of this vulnerability being actively exploited by malware.
  • CRITICAL RISK - This vulnerability will almost certainly be actively exploited by malware.

Solution:
Vendor-supplied Patch identifier and recommended solution, or workaround if applicable.

Vendor Description:
Summary of the cause and potential effect of the vulnerability provided by the vendor.

SophosLabs Comments:
SophosLabs' opinions and observations of the vulnerability in question.

SophosLabs Testing Result:
Details of completed lab testing, if applicable. Please note that the lab test environment may differ significantly from user environments.

Currently Known Exploits:
List of identities for known exploits, if applicable.

First Sample Seen:
Date of the first sample seen by SophosLabs.

Discovery Date:
Date of the earliest known publically disclosed advisory.

Affected Software:
Vulnerable platforms and software versions.

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