| Business Impact: |
X-Force has identified an unnamed web exploit toolkit in-the-wild that is now exploiting a recently patched Microsoft Excel vulnerability (MS08-014). Successful attacks will lead to code execution and malware installation. This is an interesting precedent in that it marks the first time X-Force has observed the inclusion of Microsoft Office exploitation in a web exploit kit.
While some customers may be able to react by blocking email with spreadsheet attachments through traditional email filtering means, this may not be feasible for everyone. In this case, customers should enable protection technologies like the Proventia IPS signature for this issue and deploy patches as soon as possible. |
| CVSS for XFIDs 38721 and 38722: |
Base Score: |
9.3 |
| |
Access Vector: |
Network |
| Access Complexity: |
Medium |
| Authentication: |
None |
| Confidentiality Impact: |
Complete |
| Integrity Impact: |
Complete |
| Availability Impact: |
Complete |
|
|
| Adjusted Temporal Score: |
6.9 |
| |
Exploitability: |
Unproven |
| Remediation Level: |
Official-Fix |
| Report Confidence: |
Confirmed |
| Affected Products: |
For a full list of affected versions, see references below. |
| Technical Description: |
Microsoft Excel could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by an unspecified error in the handling of Excel files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a victim to open a specially-crafted Excel file containing malformed header information, either by hosting the document on a Web site or by sending it as an email attachment. |
| Remediation: |
Patches are not available for this issue. See References for details. |
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* According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY.
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