Vulnerabilities > CVE-2006-2388 - Code Injection vulnerability in Microsoft Excel and Excel Viewer

047910
CVSS 9.3 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
MEDIUM
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
COMPLETE
Integrity impact
COMPLETE
Availability impact
COMPLETE
network
microsoft
CWE-94
critical
nessus

Summary

Microsoft Office Excel 2000 through 2004 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed cell comments, which lead to modification of "critical data offsets" during the rebuilding process.

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Manipulating User-Controlled Variables
    This attack targets user controlled variables (DEBUG=1, PHP Globals, and So Forth). An attacker can override environment variables leveraging user-supplied, untrusted query variables directly used on the application server without any data sanitization. In extreme cases, the attacker can change variables controlling the business logic of the application. For instance, in languages like PHP, a number of poorly set default configurations may allow the user to override variables.

Nessus

  • NASL familyMacOS X Local Security Checks
    NASL idMACOSX_MS_06-037.NASL
    descriptionThe remote host is running a version of Microsoft Office that is affected by various flaws that may allow arbitrary code to be run. To succeed, the attacker would have to send a rogue file to a user of the remote computer and have it open it with Microsoft Excel or another Office application.
    last seen2020-03-18
    modified2006-07-11
    plugin id22025
    published2006-07-11
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2006-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/22025
    titleMS06-037 / MS06-038: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel and Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (917284 / 917285) (Mac OS X)
  • NASL familyWindows : Microsoft Bulletins
    NASL idSMB_NT_MS06-037.NASL
    descriptionThe remote host is running a version of Microsoft Excel that could allow arbitrary code to be run. To succeed, the attacker would have to send a rogue file to a user of the remote computer and have him open it with Microsoft Excel.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id22031
    published2006-07-11
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2006-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/22031
    titleMS06-037: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (917285)

Oval

accepted2012-05-28T04:01:33.611-04:00
classvulnerability
contributors
  • nameRobert L. Hollis
    organizationThreatGuard, Inc.
  • nameShane Shaffer
    organizationG2, Inc.
definition_extensions
  • commentMicrosoft Excel 2000 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:758
  • commentMicrosoft Excel 2002 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:473
  • commentMicrosoft Excel 2003 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:764
  • commentMicrosoft Excel Viewer 2003 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:439
descriptionMicrosoft Office Excel 2000 through 2004 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed cell comments, which lead to modification of "critical data offsets" during the rebuilding process.
familywindows
idoval:org.mitre.oval:def:234
statusaccepted
submitted2006-07-25T12:05:33
titleMicrosoft Excel Malformed File Vulnerability
version12