Vulnerabilities > CVE-2009-0238 - Code Injection vulnerability in Microsoft products

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
NVD
Published: 2009-02-25
Updated: 2018-10-12

Summary

Microsoft Office Excel 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1; Excel Viewer 2003 Gold and SP3; Excel Viewer; Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP1; and Excel in Microsoft Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel document that triggers an access attempt on an invalid object, as exploited in the wild in February 2009 by Trojan.Mdropper.AC.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Microsoft
11

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

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.

Msbulletin

bulletin_idMS09-009
bulletin_url
date2009-04-14T00:00:00
impactRemote Code Execution
knowledgebase_id968557
knowledgebase_url
severityCritical
titleVulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Excel Could Cause Remote Code Execution

Nessus

  • NASL familyWindows : Microsoft Bulletins
    NASL idSMB_NT_MS09-009.NASL
    descriptionThe remote host contains a version of Microsoft Excel / Excel Viewer / 2007 Microsoft Office system and the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack that is affected by two memory corruption vulnerabilities. If an attacker can trick a user on the affected host into opening a specially crafted Excel file, either of these issues could be leveraged to run arbitrary code on the host subject to the user
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id36147
    published2009-04-15
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2009-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/36147
    titleMS09-009: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Excel Could Cause Remote Code Execution (968557)
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(36147);
  script_version("1.33");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2018/11/15 20:50:30");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2009-0100", "CVE-2009-0238");
  script_bugtraq_id(33870, 34413);
  script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS09-009");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"959964");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"959988");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"959993");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"959995");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"959997");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"960000");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"960003");

  script_name(english:"MS09-009: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Excel Could Cause Remote Code Execution (968557)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks version of Excel.exe / Xlview.exe / Excelcnv.exe");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis",
    value:
"It is possible to execute arbitrary code on the remote Windows host
using Microsoft Excel."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description",
    value:
"The remote host contains a version of Microsoft Excel / Excel Viewer
/ 2007 Microsoft Office system and the Microsoft Office Compatibility
Pack that is affected by two memory corruption vulnerabilities.  If an
attacker can trick a user on the affected host into opening a
specially crafted Excel file, either of these issues could be
leveraged to run arbitrary code on the host subject to the user's
privileges."
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/SecurityBulletins/2009/ms09-009");
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution",
    value:
"Microsoft has released a set of patches for Excel 2000, 2002, 2003,
and 2007, Excel Viewer and Excel Viewer 2003 as well as the 2007
Microsoft Office system and the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack."
  );
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_core", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_malware", value:"true");
  script_cwe_id(94, 399);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2009/02/24");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2009/04/14");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2009/04/15");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:office");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Windows : Microsoft Bulletins");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2009-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");

  script_dependencies("smb_nt_ms02-031.nasl", "office_installed.nasl", "ms_bulletin_checks_possible.nasl");
  script_require_keys("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");
  script_require_ports(139, 445, 'Host/patch_management_checks');

  exit(0);
}


include("smb_hotfixes_fcheck.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");
include("audit.inc");

get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");

bulletin = 'MS09-009';
kbs = make_list("959964", "959988", "959993", "959995", "959997", "960000", "960003");
if (get_kb_item("Host/patch_management_checks")) hotfix_check_3rd_party(bulletin:bulletin, kbs:kbs, severity:SECURITY_HOLE);

# Excel
info = "";
kb = "";
vuln = 0;
installs = get_kb_list("SMB/Office/Excel/*/ProductPath");
if (!isnull(installs))
{
  foreach install (keys(installs))
  {
    version = install - 'SMB/Office/Excel/' - '/ProductPath';
    path = installs[install];
    ver = split(version, sep:'.', keep:FALSE);
    for (i=0; i<max_index(ver); i++)
      ver[i] = int(ver[i]);

    if (isnull(path)) path = "n/a";
    if (
      # Excel 2007 - fixed in 12.0.6341.5001
      ver[0] == 12 && ver[1] == 0 &&
      (
        ver[2] < 6341 ||
        (ver[2] == 6341 && ver[3] < 5001)
      )
    )
    {
      office_sp = get_kb_item("SMB/Office/2007/SP");
      if (!isnull(office_sp) && office_sp == 1)
      {
        vuln++;
        kb = "959997";
        info =
          '\n  Product           : Excel 2007' +
          '\n  File              : ' + path +
          '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
          '\n  Fixed version     : 10.0.6341.5001\n';
        hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:kb);
      }
    }

    # Excel 2003 - fixed in 11.0.8302.0
    else if (ver[0] == 11 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] < 8302)
    {
      office_sp = get_kb_item("SMB/Office/2003/SP");
      if (!isnull(office_sp) && office_sp == 3)
      {
        vuln++;
        kb = "959995";
        info =
          '\n  Product           : Excel 2003' +
          '\n  File              : ' + path +
          '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
          '\n  Fixed version     : 11.0.8302.0\n';
        hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:kb);
      }
    }

    # Excel 2002 - fixed in 10.0.6852.0
    else if (ver[0] == 10 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] < 6852)
    {
      office_sp = get_kb_item("SMB/Office/XP/SP");
      if (!isnull(office_sp) && office_sp == 3)
      {
        vuln++;
        kb = "959988";
        info =
          '\n  Product           : Excel 2002' +
          '\n  File              : ' + path +
          '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
          '\n  Fixed version     : 10.0.6852.0\n';
        hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:kb);
      }
    }

    # Excel 2000 - fixed in 9.0.0.8977
    else if (ver[0] == 9 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] == 0 && ver[3] < 8977)
    {
      office_sp = get_kb_item("SMB/Office/2000/SP");
      if (!isnull(office_sp) && office_sp == 3)
      {
        vuln++;
        kb = "959964";
        info =
          '\n  Product           : Excel 2000' +
          '\n  File              : ' + path +
          '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
          '\n  Fixed version     : 9.0.0.8977\n';
        hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:kb);
      }
    }
  }
}

# Excel Viewer
installs = get_kb_list("SMB/Office/ExcelViewer/*/ProductPath");
if (!isnull(installs))
{
  foreach install (keys(installs))
  {
    version = install - 'SMB/Office/ExcelViewer/' - '/ProductPath';
    path = installs[install];

    ver = split(version, sep:'.', keep:FALSE);
    for (i=0; i<max_index(ver); i++)
      ver[i] = int(ver[i]);

    if (
      # Excel - fixed in 12.0.6341.5001
      ver[0] == 12 && ver[1] == 0 &&
      (
        ver[2] < 6341 ||
        (ver[2] == 6341 && ver[3] < 5001)
      )
    )
    {
      vuln++;
      kb = "960000";
      info =
        '\n  Product           : Excel Viewer' +
        '\n  File              : ' + path +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 12.0.6341.5001\n';
      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:kb);
    }

    # Excel Viewer 2003 - fixed in 11.0.8302.0
    else if (ver[0] == 11 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] < 8302)
    {
      vuln++;
      kb = "959993";
      info =
        '\n  Product           : Excel Viewer 2003' +
        '\n  File              : ' + path +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 11.0.8302.0\n';
      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:kb);
    }
  }
}


# 2007 Microsoft Office system and the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack
installs = get_kb_list("SMB/Office/ExcelCnv/*/ProductPath");
if (!isnull(installs))
{
  foreach install (keys(installs))
  {
    version = install - 'SMB/Office/ExcelCnv/' - '/ProductPath';
    path = installs[install];

    ver = split(version, sep:'.', keep:FALSE);
    for (i=0; i<max_index(ver); i++)
      ver[i] = int(ver[i]);

    if (
      # fixed in 12.0.6341.5001
      ver[0] == 12 && ver[1] == 0 &&
      (
        ver[2] < 6341 ||
        (ver[2] == 6341 && ver[3] < 5001)
      )
    )
    {
      vuln++;
      kb = "960003";
      info =
        '\n  Product           : Excel 2007 Converter' +
        '\n  File              : ' + path +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 12.0.6341.5001\n';
      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:kb);
    }
  }
}
if (vuln)
{
  set_kb_item(name:"SMB/Missing/MS09-009", value:TRUE);
  hotfix_security_hole();
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
  • NASL familyMacOS X Local Security Checks
    NASL idMACOSX_MS09-009.NASL
    descriptionThe remote Mac OS X host is running a version of Microsoft Office Excel that is affected by several vulnerabilities. If an attacker can trick a user on the affected host into opening a specially crafted Excel file, these issues could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code subject to the user
    last seen2019-10-28
    modified2010-10-20
    plugin id50061
    published2010-10-20
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2010-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/50061
    titleMS09-009: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Excel Could Cause Remote Code Execution (968557) (Mac OS X)
    code
    #TRUSTED 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
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(50061);
  script_version("1.18");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2018/07/14");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2009-0100", "CVE-2009-0238");
  script_bugtraq_id(33870, 34413);
  script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS09-009");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"968557");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"968694");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"968695");

  script_name(english:"MS09-009: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Excel Could Cause Remote Code Execution (968557) (Mac OS X)");
  script_summary(english:"Check version of Microsoft Office");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"An application installed on the remote Mac OS X host is affected by
multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The remote Mac OS X host is running a version of Microsoft Office
Excel that is affected by several vulnerabilities.

If an attacker can trick a user on the affected host into opening a
specially crafted Excel file, these issues could be leveraged to
execute arbitrary code subject to the user's privileges.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin/ms09-009");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Microsoft has released a set of patches for Office 2004 for Mac and
Office 2008 for Mac.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_malware", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_core", value:"true");
  script_cwe_id(94);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2009/02/23");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2009/04/14");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2010/10/20");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:office:2004::mac");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:office:2008::mac");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"MacOS X Local Security Checks");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2010-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/MacOSX/packages", "Host/uname");

  exit(0);
}


include("misc_func.inc");
include("ssh_func.inc");
include("macosx_func.inc");



if(sshlib::get_support_level() >= sshlib::SSH_LIB_SUPPORTS_COMMANDS)
  enable_ssh_wrappers();
else disable_ssh_wrappers();

function exec(cmd)
{
  local_var buf, ret;

  if (islocalhost())
    buf = pread(cmd:"/bin/bash", argv:make_list("bash", "-c", cmd));
  else
  {
    ret = ssh_open_connection();
    if (!ret) exit(1, "ssh_open_connection() failed.");
    buf = ssh_cmd(cmd:cmd);
    ssh_close_connection();
  }
  return buf;
}


packages = get_kb_item("Host/MacOSX/packages");
if (!packages) exit(1, "The 'Host/MacOSX/packages' KB item is missing.");

uname = get_kb_item("Host/uname");
if (!uname) exit(1, "The 'Host/uname' KB item is missing.");
if (!egrep(pattern:"Darwin.*", string:uname)) exit(1, "The host does not appear to be using the Darwin sub-system.");


# Gather version info.
info = '';
installs = make_array();

prod = 'Office 2008 for Mac';
plist = "/Applications/Microsoft Office 2008/Office/MicrosoftComponentPlugin.framework/Versions/12/Resources/Info.plist";
cmd =  'cat \'' + plist + '\' | ' +
  'grep -A 1 CFBundleShortVersionString | ' +
  'tail -n 1 | ' +
  'sed \'s/.*string>\\(.*\\)<\\/string>.*/\\1/g\'';
version = exec(cmd:cmd);
if (version && version =~ "^[0-9]+\.")
{
  version = chomp(version);
  if (version !~ "^12\.") exit(1, "Failed to get the version for "+prod+" - '"+version+"'.");

  installs[prod] = version;

  ver = split(version, sep:'.', keep:FALSE);
  for (i=0; i<max_index(ver); i++)
    ver[i] = int(ver[i]);

  fixed_version = '12.1.7';
  fix = split(fixed_version, sep:'.', keep:FALSE);
  for (i=0; i<max_index(fix); i++)
    fix[i] = int(fix[i]);

  for (i=0; i<max_index(fix); i++)
    if ((ver[i] < fix[i]))
    {
      info +=
        '\n  Product           : ' + prod +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : ' + fixed_version + '\n';
      break;
    }
    else if (ver[i] > fix[i])
      break;
}

prod = 'Office 2004 for Mac';
cmd = GetCarbonVersionCmd(file:"Microsoft Component Plugin", path:"/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Office");
version = exec(cmd:cmd);
if (version && version =~ "^[0-9]+\.")
{
  version = chomp(version);
  if (version !~ "^11\.") exit(1, "Failed to get the version for "+prod+" - '"+version+"'.");

  installs[prod] = version;

  ver = split(version, sep:'.', keep:FALSE);
  for (i=0; i<max_index(ver); i++)
    ver[i] = int(ver[i]);

  fixed_version = '11.5.4';
  fix = split(fixed_version, sep:'.', keep:FALSE);
  for (i=0; i<max_index(fix); i++)
    fix[i] = int(fix[i]);

  for (i=0; i<max_index(fix); i++)
    if ((ver[i] < fix[i]))
    {
      info +=
        '\n  Product           : ' + prod +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : ' + fixed_version + '\n';
      break;
    }
    else if (ver[i] > fix[i])
      break;
}


# Report findings.
if (info)
{
  gs_opt = get_kb_item("global_settings/report_verbosity");
  if (gs_opt && gs_opt != 'Quiet') security_hole(port:0, extra:info);
  else security_hole(0);

  exit(0);
}
else
{
  if (max_index(keys(installs)) == 0) exit(0, "Office for Mac is not installed.");
  else
  {
    msg = 'The host has ';
    foreach prod (sort(keys(installs)))
      msg += prod + ' ' + installs[prod] + ' and ';
    msg = substr(msg, 0, strlen(msg)-1-strlen(' and '));

    msg += ' installed and thus is not affected.';

    exit(0, msg);
  }
}

Oval

accepted2014-06-30T04:11:11.231-04:00
classvulnerability
contributors
  • nameKyle Key
    organizationGideon Technologies, Inc.
  • nameBrendan Miles
    organizationThe MITRE Corporation
  • nameShane Shaffer
    organizationG2, Inc.
  • nameJosh Turpin
    organizationSymantec Corporation
  • nameMaria Kedovskaya
    organizationALTX-SOFT
  • nameMaria Mikhno
    organizationALTX-SOFT
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 2007 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:1745
  • commentMicrosoft Excel Viewer 2003 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:439
  • commentMicrosoft Excel Viewer 2007 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:6006
  • commentMicrosoft Office Compatibility Pack is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:1853
descriptionMicrosoft Office Excel 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1; Excel Viewer 2003 Gold and SP3; Excel Viewer; Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP1; and Excel in Microsoft Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel document that triggers an access attempt on an invalid object, as exploited in the wild in February 2009 by Trojan.Mdropper.AC.
familywindows
idoval:org.mitre.oval:def:5968
statusaccepted
submitted2009-04-14T16:00:00
titleMemory Corruption Vulnerability
version28

Saint

bid33870
descriptionMicrosoft Excel SST record code execution
idwin_patch_excel2007
osvdb52695
titleexcel_sst
typeclient

References