Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-037: Flaw in Visual Basic for Applications Could Allow Arbitrary Code Execution(822715)

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Title:          Flaw in Visual Basic for Applications Could Allow 
                Arbitrary Code Execution (822715)
Date:           03 September 2003

Affected Software:   
                Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 5.0 
                Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.0 
                Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.2 
                Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.3

Products which include the affected software:
                Microsoft Access 97 
                Microsoft Access 2000 
                Microsoft Access 2002 
                Microsoft Excel 97 
                Microsoft Excel 2000 
                Microsoft Excel 2002 
                Microsoft PowerPoint 97 
                Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 
                Microsoft PowerPoint 2002 
                Microsoft Project 2000 
                Microsoft Project 2002 
                Microsoft Publisher 2002 
                Microsoft Visio 2000 
                Microsoft Visio 2002 
                Microsoft Word 97 
                Microsoft Word 98(J) 
                Microsoft Word 2000 
                Microsoft Word 2002 
                Microsoft Works Suite 2001 
                Microsoft Works Suite 2002 
                Microsoft Works Suite 2003 
                Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains 7.5 
                Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 6.0 
                Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 7.0 
                Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 6.0 
                Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 7.0 
                Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 4.5 
                Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.0 
                Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.5

Impact:         Run code of attackers choice
Max Risk:       Critical
Bulletin:       MS03-037

Microsoft encourages customers to review the Security Bulletins 
at: 
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-037.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-037.asp
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Issue:
======
Microsoft VBA is a development technology for developing client 
desktop packaged applications and integrating them with existing 
data and systems. Microsoft VBA is based on the Microsoft Visual 
Basic development system. Microsoft Office products include VBA 
and make use of VBA to perform certain functions. VBA can also be 
used to build customized applications based around an existing 
host application. 

A flaw exists in the way VBA checks document properties passed to 
it when a document is opened by the host application. A buffer 
overrun exists which if exploited successfully could allow an 
attacker to execute code of their choice in the context of the 
logged on user. 

In order for an attack to be successful, a user would have to 
open a specially crafted document sent to them by an attacker. 
This document could be any type of document that supports VBA, 
such as a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint 
presentation. In the case where Microsoft Word is being used as 
the HTML e-mail editor for Microsoft Outlook, this document could 
be an e-mail, however the user would need to reply to, or forward 
the mail message in order for the vulnerability to be exploited. 

Mitigating Factors:
====================
- -The user must open a document sent to them by an attacker in 
order for this vulnerability to be exploited. 
- -When Microsoft Word is being used as the HTML e-mail editor in 
Outlook, a user would need to reply to or forward a malicious e-
mail document sent to them in order for this vulnerability to be 
exploited. 
- -An attacker's code could only run with the same rights as the 
logged on user. The specific privileges the attacker could gain 
through this vulnerability would therefore depend on the 
privileges granted to the user. Any limitations on a user's 
account, such as those applied through Group Policies, would also 
limit the actions of any arbitrary code executed by this 
vulnerability.

Risk Rating:
============
 - Critical

Patch Availability:
===================
 - A patch is available to fix this vulnerability. Please read 
the Security Bulletins at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms03-037.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-037.asp
for information on obtaining this patch.

Acknowledgment:
===============
 - eEye Digital Security, http://www.eeye.com 

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