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Microsoft Excel fails to properly perform range validation when parsing document files

Vulnerability Note VU#642428

Original Release Date: 2006-03-14 | Last Revised: 2006-03-14

Overview

Microsoft Excel contains an error in range validation, which may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.

Description

Microsoft Excel fails to properly validate ranges in data files. When a file with a malformed range is opened in Excel, system memory can be corrupted in a way that may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Impact

By convincing a user to open a specially crafted Excel file, a remote unauthenticated attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.

Solution

Install an update

Install an update, as specified in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-012.


Do not access Excel files from untrusted sources

By only accessing Excel files, such as spreadsheets, from trusted or known sources, the chances of exploitation are reduced.

Vendor Information

642428
 

Microsoft Corporation Affected

Updated:  March 14, 2006

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

Please see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-012.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.


CVSS Metrics

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References

Acknowledgements

This vulnerability was publicly disclosed by fearwall.

This document was written by Will Dormann.

Other Information

CVE IDs: CVE-2005-4131
Severity Metric: 16.45
Date Public: 2005-12-07
Date First Published: 2006-03-14
Date Last Updated: 2006-03-14 19:47 UTC
Document Revision: 8

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