Software Engineering Institute

Microsoft Word fails to properly handle malformed data within an array. When a Word file is opened, Word does not properly perform validation over data within the array. An attacker could send a specially crafted Word file in an email message or hosted on a website that, when opened, could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code. The attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

An attacker could execute arbitrary code and gain complete control of the affected system.

Microsoft addresses this vulnerability with the updates listed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-024.

Do not open untrusted Office documents

Do not open unfamiliar or unexpected Office documents, particularly those hosted on web sites or delivered as email attachments. Please see Cyber Security Tip ST04-010.

Disable automatic opening of Microsoft Office documents

By default, Microsoft Office 97 and Microsoft Office 2000 will configure Internet Explorer to automatically open Microsoft Office documents. This feature can be disabled by using the Office Document Open Confirmation Tool. Mozilla Firefox users should disable automatic opening of files, as specified in the Securing Your Web Browser document.

Do not operate with higher user rights than you require

Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less affected than users who operate with administrative user rights.