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Vulnerability: MS09-027 - Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution

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 Details
Vulnerability name/brief descriptionVulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution - MS09-027
CVE/CAN name

CVE-2007-0563, CVE-2009-0565

Vendor threat levelCritical
SophosLabs threat levelMedium
Solution

Users are advised to apply the vendor patch for MS09-027 .

Vendor description

This security update resolves two privately reported vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Word file. An attacker who successfully exploited either vulnerability 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

Microsoft Word binary format files are often used maliciously to exploit an unpatched vulnerability in Microsoft Word to drop malicious Windows PE executable files. Security update should be applied as soon as possible, especially by Microsoft Office Word 2000 users. Both of the disclosed vulnerabilities are buffer overflow vulnerabilities and Sophos customers are advised to use Sophos Buffer Overflow protection functionality to mitigate the threat.

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 June 2009
Affected software

Microsoft Office Word 2000, all versions
Microsoft Office Word 2002
Microsoft Office Word 2003
Microsoft Office Word 2007
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac
Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac
Open XML File Format Converter for Mac
Microsoft Office Word Viewer
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack

References

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/ms09-027.mspx
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0563
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-0565

Credits

Microsoft MAPP program

Revisions

9 June 2009 - 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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