Vulnerabilities > CVE-2011-0979 - Improper Input Validation 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-20
critical
nessus
NVD
Published: 2011-02-10
Updated: 2018-10-12

Summary

Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2, and 2010; Office 2004, 2008, and 2011 for Mac; Open XML File Format Converter for Mac; and Excel Viewer SP2 do not properly handle errors during the parsing of Office Art records in Excel spreadsheets, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed object record, related to a "stray reference," aka "Excel Linked List Corruption Vulnerability."

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Microsoft
11

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Buffer Overflow via Environment Variables
    This attack pattern involves causing a buffer overflow through manipulation of environment variables. Once the attacker finds that they can modify an environment variable, they may try to overflow associated buffers. This attack leverages implicit trust often placed in environment variables.
  • Server Side Include (SSI) Injection
    An attacker can use Server Side Include (SSI) Injection to send code to a web application that then gets executed by the web server. Doing so enables the attacker to achieve similar results to Cross Site Scripting, viz., arbitrary code execution and information disclosure, albeit on a more limited scale, since the SSI directives are nowhere near as powerful as a full-fledged scripting language. Nonetheless, the attacker can conveniently gain access to sensitive files, such as password files, and execute shell commands.
  • Cross Zone Scripting
    An attacker is able to cause a victim to load content into their web-browser that bypasses security zone controls and gain access to increased privileges to execute scripting code or other web objects such as unsigned ActiveX controls or applets. This is a privilege elevation attack targeted at zone-based web-browser security. In a zone-based model, pages belong to one of a set of zones corresponding to the level of privilege assigned to that page. Pages in an untrusted zone would have a lesser level of access to the system and/or be restricted in the types of executable content it was allowed to invoke. In a cross-zone scripting attack, a page that should be assigned to a less privileged zone is granted the privileges of a more trusted zone. This can be accomplished by exploiting bugs in the browser, exploiting incorrect configuration in the zone controls, through a cross-site scripting attack that causes the attackers' content to be treated as coming from a more trusted page, or by leveraging some piece of system functionality that is accessible from both the trusted and less trusted zone. This attack differs from "Restful Privilege Escalation" in that the latter correlates to the inadequate securing of RESTful access methods (such as HTTP DELETE) on the server, while cross-zone scripting attacks the concept of security zones as implemented by a browser.
  • Cross Site Scripting through Log Files
    An attacker may leverage a system weakness where logs are susceptible to log injection to insert scripts into the system's logs. If these logs are later viewed by an administrator through a thin administrative interface and the log data is not properly HTML encoded before being written to the page, the attackers' scripts stored in the log will be executed in the administrative interface with potentially serious consequences. This attack pattern is really a combination of two other attack patterns: log injection and stored cross site scripting.
  • Command Line Execution through SQL Injection
    An attacker uses standard SQL injection methods to inject data into the command line for execution. This could be done directly through misuse of directives such as MSSQL_xp_cmdshell or indirectly through injection of data into the database that would be interpreted as shell commands. Sometime later, an unscrupulous backend application (or could be part of the functionality of the same application) fetches the injected data stored in the database and uses this data as command line arguments without performing proper validation. The malicious data escapes that data plane by spawning new commands to be executed on the host.

Msbulletin

bulletin_idMS11-021
bulletin_url
date2011-04-12T00:00:00
impactRemote Code Execution
knowledgebase_id2489283
knowledgebase_url
severityImportant
titleVulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution

Nessus

  • NASL familyWindows : Microsoft Bulletins
    NASL idSMB_NT_MS11-021.NASL
    descriptionThe remote Windows host is running a version of Microsoft Excel or Excel Viewer that is affected by several vulnerabilities. If an attacker can trick a user on the affected host into opening a specially crafted Excel file, they could leverage this issue to execute arbitrary code subject to the user
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id53378
    published2011-04-13
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2011-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/53378
    titleMS11-021: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2489279)
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(53378);
  script_version("1.27");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2018/11/15 20:50:30");

  script_cve_id(
    "CVE-2011-0097",
    "CVE-2011-0098",
    "CVE-2011-0101",
    "CVE-2011-0103",
    "CVE-2011-0104",
    "CVE-2011-0105",
    "CVE-2011-0978",
    "CVE-2011-0979",
    "CVE-2011-0980"
  );
  script_bugtraq_id(46225, 46226, 46229, 47201, 47235, 47243, 47244, 47245, 47256);
  script_xref(name:"EDB-ID", value:"18067");
  script_xref(name:"EDB-ID", value:"18087");
  script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS11-021");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2464583");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2466146");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2466156");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2466158");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2466169");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2502786");

  script_name(english:"MS11-021: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2489279)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks version of Excel");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis",
    value:
"Arbitrary code can be executed on the remote host through Microsoft
Excel."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description",
    value:
"The remote Windows host is running a version of Microsoft Excel or
Excel Viewer that is affected by several vulnerabilities.

If an attacker can trick a user on the affected host into opening a
specially crafted Excel file, they could leverage this issue to
execute arbitrary code subject to the user's privileges."
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/SecurityBulletins/2011/ms11-021");
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution",
    value:
"Microsoft has released a set of patches for Office XP, 2003, 2007,
2010, Excel Viewer, and Office Compatability 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_set_attribute(attribute:"metasploit_name", value:'MS11-021 Microsoft Office 2007 Excel .xlb Buffer Overflow');
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_metasploit", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_canvas", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"canvas_package", value:'White_Phosphorus');

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2011/02/07");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2011/04/12");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2011/04/13");

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

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

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2011-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");

  script_dependencies("smb_nt_ms02-031.nasl", "office_installed.nasl", "smb_hotfixes.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("smb_func.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");
include("audit.inc");

get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");

bulletin = 'MS11-021';
kbs = make_list("2464583", "2466146", "2466156", "2466158", "2466169", "2502786");
if (get_kb_item("Host/patch_management_checks")) hotfix_check_3rd_party(bulletin:bulletin, kbs:kbs, severity:SECURITY_HOLE);

info = "";


# Excel.
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]);

    # Excel 2010.
    office_sp = get_kb_item("SMB/Office/2010/SP");
    if (
      (!isnull(office_sp) && office_sp == 0) &&
      (
        (ver[0] == 14 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] < 5130) ||
        (ver[0] == 14 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] == 5130 && ver[3] < 5003)
      )
    )
    {
      vuln++;
      info =
        '\n  Product           : Excel 2010' +
        '\n  File              : ' + path +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 14.0.5130.5003\n';
      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:'2466146');
    }
    # Excel 2007.
    office_sp = get_kb_item("SMB/Office/2007/SP");
    if (
      (!isnull(office_sp) && office_sp == 2) &&
      (
        (ver[0] == 12 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] < 6550) ||
        (ver[0] == 12 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] == 6550 && ver[3] < 5004)
      )
    )
    {
      vuln++;
      info =
        '\n  Product           : Excel 2007' +
        '\n  File              : ' + path +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 12.0.6550.5004\n';
      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2464583");
    }
    # Excel 2003.
    office_sp = get_kb_item("SMB/Office/2003/SP");
    if (
      (!isnull(office_sp) && office_sp == 3) &&
      (ver[0] == 11 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] < 8332)
    )
    {
      vuln++;
      info =
        '\n  Product           : Excel 2003' +
        '\n  File              : ' + path +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 11.0.8332.0\n';
      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2502786");
    }
    # Excel 2002.
    if (
      (!isnull(office_sp) && office_sp == 3) &&
      (ver[0] == 10 && ver[1] == 0 && ver[2] < 6869)
    )
    {
      vuln++;
      info =
        '\n  Product           : Excel 2002' +
        '\n  File              : ' + path +
        '\n  Installed version : ' + version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 10.0.6869.0\n';

      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2466169");
    }
  }
}

# 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];
    path = 'n/a';

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

    # Excel Viewer.
    if (
      ver[0] == 12 && ver[1] == 0 &&
      (
        ver[2] < 6550 ||
        (ver[2] == 6550 && ver[3] < 5004)
      )
    )
    {
      vuln++;
      info =
        '\n  Product           : Excel Viewer' +
        '\n  File              : '+ path +
        '\n  Installed version : '+ version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 12.0.6550.5004\n';
      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2466158");
      break;
    }
  }
}


# 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]);

    # 2007 Office system and the Office Compatibility Pack.
    if (
      ver[0] == 12 && ver[1] == 0 &&
      (
        ver[2] < 6550 ||
        (ver[2] == 6550 && ver[3] < 5004)
      )
    )
    {
      vuln++;
      info =
        '\n  Product           : 2007 Office system and the Office Compatibility Pack' +
        '\n  File              : '+ path +
        '\n  Installed version : '+ version +
        '\n  Fixed version     : 12.0.6550.5004\n';
      hotfix_add_report(info, bulletin:bulletin, kb:"2466156");
      break;
    }
  }
}

if (vuln)
{
  set_kb_item(name:"SMB/Missing/"+bulletin, value:TRUE);
  hotfix_security_hole();
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, 'affected');
  • NASL familyMacOS X Local Security Checks
    NASL idMACOSX_MS_OFFICE_APR2011.NASL
    descriptionThe remote Mac OS X host is running a version of Microsoft Office that is affected by several vulnerabilities. If an attacker can trick a user on the affected host into opening a specially crafted Office file, these issues could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code subject to the user
    last seen2019-12-14
    modified2011-04-13
    plugin id53374
    published2011-04-13
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2011-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/53374
    titleMS11-021 / MS11-022 / MS11-023: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2489279 / 2489283 / 2489293) (Mac OS X)

Oval

accepted2013-09-30T04:00:16.405-04:00
classvulnerability
contributors
  • nameDragos Prisaca
    organizationSymantec Corporation
  • nameShane Shaffer
    organizationG2, Inc.
  • nameShane Shaffer
    organizationG2, Inc.
  • nameMaria Kedovskaya
    organizationALTX-SOFT
definition_extensions
  • 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 2010 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:12658
  • commentMicrosoft Excel Viewer 2007 is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:6006
descriptionMicrosoft Excel 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2, and 2010; Office 2004, 2008, and 2011 for Mac; Open XML File Format Converter for Mac; and Excel Viewer SP2 do not properly handle errors during the parsing of Office Art records in Excel spreadsheets, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed object record, related to a "stray reference," aka "Excel Linked List Corruption Vulnerability."
familywindows
idoval:org.mitre.oval:def:12595
statusaccepted
submitted2011-04-12T13:00:00
titleExcel Linked List Corruption Vulnerability
version15

Seebug

bulletinFamilyexploit
descriptionBUGTRAQ ID: 47226 CVE ID: CVE-2011-0979 Microsoft Excel是由Microsoft为Windows和Apple Macintosh操作系统的电脑而编写和运行的一款试算表软件。 Microsoft Excel在实现上存在缓冲区溢出漏洞，远程攻击者可利用此漏洞以当前用户权限执行任意代码，造成拒绝服务。 Microsoft Office Excel处理特制Excel文件的方式中存在一个远程执行代码漏洞，成功利用此漏洞的攻击者便可完全控制受影响的系统。攻击者可随后安装程序；查看、更改或删除数据；或者创建拥有完全用户权限的新帐户 Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office 临时解决方法： * 使用“Microsoft Office文件阻止”策略禁止在Excel中打开来自不可信任来源和位置的Office 2003和早期版本的文件。 * 在打开未知或可疑源的文件时使用MOICE * 不要打开来自可疑源的Office文件 厂商补丁： Microsoft --------- Microsoft已经为此发布了一个安全公告（MS11-021）以及相应补丁: MS11-021：Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2489279) 链接：http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS11-021.asp
idSSV:20487
last seen2017-11-19
modified2011-04-15
published2011-04-15
reporterRoot
titleMicrosoft Excel Office Art远程代码执行漏洞(MS11-021)

References