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The U.S. Department of Energy
Computer Incident Advisory Capability
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INFORMATION BULLETIN
Microsoft Visual Basic Buffer Overrun Vulnerability
[Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-037]
September 3, 2003 21:00 GMT Number N-144
______________________________________________________________________________
PROBLEM: A vulnerability was found in the way Visual Basic for
Applications (VBA) checks document properties passed to it when
a document is opened by a host application. A buffer overrun
exists where, if successfully exploited, an attacker could run
arbitrary code of their choice.
SOFTWARE: Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 5.0
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.0
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.2
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.3
DAMAGE: An attacker could send a user a specially crafted document
designed to exploit this vulnerability. If the document is
opened, the attacker could execute arbitrary code in the
security context of the logged on user.
SOLUTION: Apply the appropriate Microsoft patch as described in their
bulletin.
______________________________________________________________________________
VULNERABILITY The risk is MEDIUM. The attacker would have to host a Web site
ASSESSMENT: that contained a Web page used to exploit this vulnerability,
and persuade a user to visit that site to download/open the
document. Or, an attacker would have to entice a user to open a
malicious attachment sent in an e-mail to be successful.
______________________________________________________________________________
LINKS:
CIAC BULLETIN: http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/n-144.shtml
ORIGINAL BULLETIN:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url
=/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-037.asp
______________________________________________________________________________
[***** Start Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-037 *****]
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-037
Flaw in Visual Basic for Applications Could Allow Arbitrary Code Execution
(822715)Originally posted: September 03, 2003
Summary
Who should read this bulletin: Customers using Microsoft ® Office applications
or applications that use Microsoft Visual Basic® for Applications.
Impact of vulnerability: Allow attacker to execute arbitrary code.
Maximum Severity Rating: Critical
Recommendation: Customers using Microsoft ® Office applications or Microsoft
Visual Basic for Applications should apply the patch at the earliest available
opportunity.
End User Bulletin:
An end user version of this bulletin is available at:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-037.asp.
Affected Software:
* Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 5.0
* Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.0
* Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.2
* Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.3
* Products which Include the Affected Software:
* Microsoft Access 97
* Microsoft Access 2000
* Microsoft Access 2002
* Microsoft Excel 97
* Microsoft Excel 2000
* Microsoft Excel 2002
* Microsoft PowerPoint 97
* Microsoft PowerPoint 2000
* Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
* Microsoft Project 2000
* Microsoft Project 2002
* Microsoft Publisher 2002
* Microsoft Visio 2000
* Microsoft Visio 2002
* Microsoft Word 97
* Microsoft Word 98(J)
* Microsoft Word 2000
* Microsoft Word 2002
* Microsoft Works Suite 2001
* Microsoft Works Suite 2002
* Microsoft Works Suite 2003
* Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains 7.5
* Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 6.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 7.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 6.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 7.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 4.5
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.5
Technical details
Technical description:
Microsoft VBA is a development technology for developing client desktop
packaged applications and integrating them with existing data and systems.
Microsoft VBA is based on the Microsoft Visual Basic development system.
Microsoft Office products include VBA and make use of VBA to perform certain
functions. VBA can also be used to build customized applications based around
an existing host application.
A flaw exists in the way VBA checks document properties passed to it when a
document is opened by the host application. A buffer overrun exists which if
exploited successfully could allow an attacker to execute code of their choice
in the context of the logged on user.
In order for an attack to be successful, a user would have to open a specially
crafted document sent to them by an attacker. This document could be any type
of document that supports VBA, such as a Word document, Excel spreadsheet,
PowerPoint presentation. In the case where Microsoft Word is being used as the
HTML e-mail editor for Microsoft Outlook, this document could be an e-mail,
however the user would need to reply to, or forward the mail message in order
for the vulnerability to be exploited.
Mitigating factors:
* The user must open a document sent to them by an attacker in order for this
vulnerability to be exploited.
* When Microsoft Word is being used as the HTML e-mail editor in Outlook, a
user would need to reply to or forward a malicious e-mail document sent to
them in order for this vulnerability to be exploited.
* An attacker’s code could only run with the same rights as the logged on
user. The specific privileges the attacker could gain through this
vulnerability would therefore depend on the privileges granted to the user.
Any limitations on a user's account, such as those applied through Group
Policies, would also limit the actions of any arbitrary code executed by
this vulnerability.
Severity Rating: Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 5.0 Critical
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.0 Critical
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.2 Critical
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.3 Critical
The above assessment is based on the types of systems affected by the
vulnerability, their typical deployment patterns, and the effect that
exploiting the vulnerability would have on them.
Vulnerability identifier: CAN-2003-0347
Tested Versions:
Microsoft tested Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 5.0, Microsoft
Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.0, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications
SDK 6.2 and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.3 assess whether
they are affected by this vulnerability. In addition, Microsoft investigated
all supported versions of the software listed in the "Products which Includes
the Affected Software" section to determine whether they included the
vulnerable software. Previous versions are no longer supported, and may or
may not be affected by these vulnerabilities.
Patch availability
Download locations for this patch There are several versions of this patch,
depending on which application you have that uses VBA. You are strongly
advised to read the FAQ above entitled "There are a number of patches
available for this vulnerability? Which one should I install?" in order to
determine which version of the patch you should apply.
* Microsoft Office 2000:
http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E2CCE199-9C4A-4EEC-
A3EC-9F738017F275&displaylang=en
* Microsoft Office XP (including Publisher 2002):
http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=6F1FC4B0-29E9-44E0-
A33D-AD6B4B6A8FF4&displaylang=en
* Microsoft Project 2000:
http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E53A52E7-431D-4580-
9733-B92A2B7BFD0D&displaylang=en
* Microsoft Project 2002:
http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=525BDE0A-0028-488A-
8209-6E07D4603CCB&displaylang=en
* Microsoft Visio 2002:
http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=55944490-13C2-4043-
BA2A-17AF02E9C73E&displaylang=en
* Microsoft VBA Patch:
http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=DA1A7ABA-CD3D-458B-
9729-AB9094C9BD3F&displaylang=en
The Microsoft VBA patch can be installed on systems running the following applications:
* Microsoft VBA 5.0
* Microsoft VBA 6.0
* Microsoft VBA 6.2
* Microsoft VBA 6.3.
* Microsoft Access 97
* Microsoft Excel 97
* Microsoft PowerPoint 97
* Microsoft Word 97
* Microsoft Word 98(J)
* Microsoft Visio 2000
* Microsoft Works Suite 2001
* Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains 7.5
* Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 6.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 7.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 6.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 7.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 4.5
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.5
* Microsoft recommends users visit Office Update at http://www.office.
microsoft.com/ProductUpdates/default.aspx to detect and install this
security patch and all other public updates to Office family products
(note: Office Update does not support Office 97 or Visio 2000).
Additional information about this patch
Installation platforms:
* The Microsoft Office 2000 patch can be install on systems running Microsoft
Office 2000 Service Pack 3.
* The Microsoft Office XP patch can be installed on systems running Microsoft
Office XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft Works 2002, and Microsoft Works 2003.
* The Microsoft Visio 2002 patch can be installed on systems running Microsoft
Visio 2002.
* The Microsoft VBA patch can be installed on systems running:
* Microsoft VBA 5.0
* Microsoft VBA 6.0
* Microsoft VBA 6.2
* Microsoft VBA 6.3.
* Microsoft Access 97
* Microsoft Excel 97
* Microsoft PowerPoint 97
* Microsoft Word 97
* Microsoft Word 98(J)
* Microsoft Word 98(J)
* Microsoft Visio 2000
* Microsoft Works Suite 2001
* Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains 7.5
* Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 6.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 7.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 6.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 7.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 4.5
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.0
* Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.5
Inclusion in future service packs:
The fix for this issue will be included in any future service packs for
Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Office 2000, Microsoft Project 2002, Microsoft
Project 2000, and Microsoft Visio 2002.
Reboot needed:
If vbe.dll or vbe6.dll are in use at the time of installation, a reboot will
be required to complete installation.
Patch can be uninstalled: No
Superseded patches: None.
Verifying patch installation:
Microsoft Office, Project, or Visio Patches:
Check the versions of the following files are as below (if C:\ is not your
system drive, check the Drive containing the \Program Files folder):
* C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\VBA6\vbe6.dll = 6.4.99.66
Microsoft VBA Patch:
Check the versions of the following files are as below:
* VBA 5 - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\vbe.dll =
5.0.78.15
* VBA 6- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\VBA6\vbe6.dll =
6.4.99.66
Caveats:
None
Localization:
Localized versions of this patch are available at the locations discussed in
“Patch Availability”.
Obtaining other security patches:
Patches for other security issues are available from the following locations:
* Security patches are available from the Microsoft Download Center, and can
be most easily found by doing a keyword search for "security_patch".
* Patches for consumer platforms are available from the WindowsUpdate web
site
Other information:
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks eEye Digital Security for reporting this issue to us and
working with us to protect customers.
Support:
* Microsoft Knowledge Base article 822715 discusses this issue. Knowledge Base
articles can be found on the Microsoft Online Support web site.
* Technical support is available from Microsoft Product Support Services.
There is no charge for support calls associated with security patches.
Security Resources: The Microsoft TechNet Security Web Site provides
additional information about security in Microsoft products.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is"
without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either
express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its
suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect,
incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even
if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility
of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation
may not apply.
Revisions:
V1.0 (September 03, 2003): Bulletin Created.
[***** End Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-037 *****]
_______________________________________________________________________________
CIAC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Microsoft Corp. for the
information contained in this bulletin.
_______________________________________________________________________________
CIAC, the Computer Incident Advisory Capability, is the computer
security incident response team for the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) and the emergency backup response team for the National
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employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any
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