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Vulnerability: MS09-068 - Important Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Vulnerability name/brief description | MS09-068 - Important Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution |
| CVE/CAN name | |
| Vendor threat level | Important |
| SophosLabs threat level | High |
| Solution | |
| Vendor description | This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Word file. An attacker who successfully exploited this 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. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. |
| SophosLabs comments | This update resolves a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Word for both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh platforms. Users who open special crafted Word files using vulnerable versions of Microsoft Word, could end up executing arbitrary code at their current privilege level. Although SophosLabs have yet to encounter any examples of malware exploiting this vulnerability, because of the exposure of the attack vectors related, SophosLabs is assigning this update a threat level of high. We advise users to apply this patch at their earliest convenience. |
| 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 | November 10 2009 |
| Affected software | Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3 - Microsoft Office Word 2002 Service Pack 3 Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3 - Microsoft Office Word 2003 Service Pack 3 Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Open XML File Format Converter for Mac Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003 Service Pack 3 |
| References | http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS09-068.mspx http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2009-3135 |
| Credits | Microsoft MAPP Jun Mao of VeriSign iDefense Labs |
| Revisions | November 10 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.
If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.
- Article ID: 66388
- Created: 10 Nov 2009
- Last updated: 10 Nov 2009
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