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Vulnerability: MS08-072. Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (957173)

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 Details
Vulnerability name/brief descriptionVulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (957173) - MS08-072
CVE/CAN nameCVE-2008-4024 CVE-2008-4025 CVE-2008-4026 CVE-2008-4027 CVE-2008-4028 CVE-2008-4030 CVE-2008-4031 CVE-2008-4837
Vendor threat levelCritical
SophosLabs threat levelHigh
SolutionUsers are advised to apply the vendor patch for MS08-072  as soon as possible.
Vendor descriptionThis security update resolves eight privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Word and Microsoft Office Outlook that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) file. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
SophosLabs comments

This vulnerability could allow remote code execution. The vulnerability can be exploited using the preview pane in Outlook 2007. This vulnerability has been assigned a high threat level.

SophosLabs testing resultN/A
Currently known exploits At the time of writing SophosLabs has seen no samples of malware attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Should this situation change samples will be analysed and we will take action as necessary.
First sample seenN/A
Discovery date9 December 2008
Affected softwareMicrosoft Office Outlook 2007
Microsoft Office Word 2000
Microsoft Office Word 2002
Microsoft Office Word 2003
Microsoft Office Word 2007
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack
Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003
Microsoft Works 8
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac
Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac
Open XML File Format Converter for Mac
References

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms08-072.mspx
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4024
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4025
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4026
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4027
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4028
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4030
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4031
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-4837

Credits

Microsoft MAPP program

Revisions

10 December 2008 - 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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