Microsoft PowerPoint Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Notification Type: IBM Internet Security Systems Protection Alert
Notification Date: April 03, 2009
Notification Version: 1.1
   
Name: Microsoft PowerPoint Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Public disclosure/
In the wild date:
April 02, 2009
CVE:

CVE-2009-0556

Description:

Microsoft Office PowerPoint could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by an unspecified error when handling .ppt files. There are confirmed reports of targeted exploitation.

 

ISS Coverage

Product Content Version
Network Sensor 7.0
Proventia A
Proventia IPS (G/GX)
Server Sensor 7.0
Proventia Multifunction Appliance
Proventia Server (Linux)
XPU 28.020
Proventia Server (Windows)
Proventia Desktop
2160
Propagation Techniques ISS Protection Available
remote exploit

CompoundFile_Shellcode_Detected*
Shellcode_Detected*

13 FEB 2008
14 NOV 2006
* These signatures detect all samples known by X-Force that were circulating in-the-wild as of the publication date of this Alert.
Detection Techniques ISS Detection Available
network scan

win-msKB967340-update

13 MAY 2009

Detailed Description

Business Impact:

An unspecified, and currently unpatched, Microsoft Office PowerPoint vulnerability is receiving targeted exploitation in the wild.  Successful attacks will lead to code execution and malware installation.

While some customers may be able to react by blocking email with PowerPoint 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 signatures for this issue and deploy patches as soon as they are available.

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: 7.0
  Exploitability: High
Remediation Level: Patch
Report Confidence: Confirmed
Affected Products: For a full list of affected versions, see references below.
Technical Description:

Microsoft Office PowerPoint could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by an unspecified error when handling .ppt files. By persuading a victim to open a specially-crafted .ppt file, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on the system with privileges of the victim.

Remediation:

Patches were made available for this issue on May 12, 2009. See References for details.

References

XFDB:

http://xforce.iss.net/xforce/xfdb/49632
Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS09-017.mspx

Revision History

1.0 Initial publication.
1.1 Added assessment check and updated patch information.

* 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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