Microsoft Word macro buffer overflow allows execution of code

word-macro-execute-code (13682)

High Risk

Description:

Multiple releases of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Works Suite could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a buffer overflow when handling macro names. A remote attacker can create a Word document containing a long macro name, which would overflow a buffer and allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, change data or security settings, or reformat the hard drive, once the victim opens the document. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious Web page and hosting it on a Web site or by sending it to a victim as an HTML email.

Platforms Affected:

• Microsoft, Word 2000
• Microsoft, Word 2002
• Microsoft, Word 97
• Microsoft, Word 98 ja
• Microsoft, Works 2001
• Microsoft, Works 2002
• Microsoft, Works 2003
• Microsoft, Works 2004

Remedy:

Apply the appropriate patch for your system, as listed in the latest Microsoft Security Bulletin. See References.

— OR —

Use Microsoft Automatic Update if it is supported by your operating system. The original bulletin issued by Microsoft has been superseded.

Consequences:

Gain Access

References:

• BugTraq Mailing List, Wed Oct 15 2003 - 10:55:25 CDT , Few issues previously unpublished in English at http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2003-10/0163.html.
• CIAC Information Bulletin O-023, Microsoft Word and Excel Vulnerabilities at http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/o-023.shtml.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-050, Vulnerability in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel Could Allow Arbitrary Code to Run (831527) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms03-050.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-023, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word May Lead to Remote Code Execution (890169) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms05-023.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-035, Vulnerability in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (903672) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms05-035.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-012, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (905413) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-012.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-027, Vulnerability in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (917336) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS06-027.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-060, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (924554) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-060.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-014, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (929434) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS07-014.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-024, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (934232) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms07-024.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-060, Vulnerability in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (942695) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS07-060.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-009, Vulnerability in VBScript and JScript Scripting Engines Could Allow Remote Code Execution (944338) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-009.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-013, Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (947108) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-013.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-014, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (949029) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-014.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-016, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (949030) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-016.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-026, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (951207) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-026.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-042, Vulnerability in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (955048) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-042.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-043, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954066) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-043.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-051, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft PowerPoint Could Allow Remote Code Execution (949785) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-051.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-052, Vulnerabilities in GDI+ Could Allow Remote Code Execution (954593) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-052.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-055, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (955047) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-055.mspx.
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-057, Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (956416) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-057.mspx.
• BID-8835: Microsoft Word Macro Name Handler Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
• CVE-2003-0820: Microsoft Word 97, 98(J), 2000, and 2002, and Microsoft Works Suites 2001 through 2004, do not properly check the length of the Macro names data value, which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow attack.

Reported:

Oct 15, 2003

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