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HistoryJun 12, 2007 - 12:00 a.m.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-030 - Important Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Visio Could Allow Remote Code Execution (927051)

2007-06-1200:00:00
vulners.com
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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-030 - Important
Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Visio Could Allow Remote Code Execution (927051)
Published: June 12, 2007

Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary

This important update resolves two privately discovered and responsibly reported vulnerabilities in addition to other security issues identified during the course of the investigation. The privately reported vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user opened a specially crafted Visio file. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. User interaction is required to exploit these vulnerabilities.

This is an important security update for supported versions of Microsoft Visio 2002 and Microsoft Office Visio 2003. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

This security update addresses the vulnerabilities by modifying the way that Microsoft Visio handles specially crafted Visio files. For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers should apply the update at the earliest opportunity.

Known Issues. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 931280 and Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 931281 document the currently known issues that customers may experience when they install this security update. The articles also document recommended solutions for these issues.
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Affected and Non-Affected Software

In the following tables of affected and non-affected software, software versions that are not listed are past their support lifecycle. To determine the support lifecycle for your product and version, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Affected Software
Office Suite and Other Affected Software Application Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Bulletins Replaced by This Update

Microsoft Visio 2002 Service Pack 2

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Microsoft Office 2003

Microsoft Visio 2003 Service Pack 2

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Non-Affected Software
Office Suite Application

2007 Microsoft Office System

Microsoft Office Visio 2007
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Why does this update address several reported security vulnerabilities?
This update contains support for several vulnerabilities because the modifications that are required to address these issues are located in related files. Instead of having to install several updates that are almost the same, customers can install only this update.

I am using an older version of the software discussed in this security bulletin. What should I do?
The affected software listed in this bulletin has been tested to determine which versions are affected. Other versions are past their support life cycle. To determine the support life cycle for your product and version, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

It should be a priority for customers who have older versions of the software to migrate to supported versions to prevent potential exposure to vulnerabilities. For more information about the Windows Product Lifecycle, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle. For more information about the extended security update support period for these operating system versions, visit the Microsoft Product Support Services Web site.

Customers who require custom support for older software must contact their Microsoft account team representative, their Technical Account Manager, or the appropriate Microsoft partner representative for custom support options. Customers without an Alliance, Premier, or Authorized Contract can contact their local Microsoft sales office. For contact information, visit the Microsoft Worldwide Information Web site, select the country, and then click Go to see a list of telephone numbers. When you call, ask to speak with the local Premier Support sales manager. For more information, see the Windows Operating System Product Support Lifecycle FAQ.
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Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers
Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Affected Software Visio Version Memory Corruption Vulnerability – CVE-2007-0934 Visio Document Packaging Vulnerability – CVE-2007-0936 Aggregate Severity Rating

Microsoft Visio 2002

Important

Remote Code Execution

Important

Remote Code Execution

Important

Microsoft Visio 2003

Important

Remote Code Execution

Important

Remote Code Execution

Important
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Version Number Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0934

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way Microsoft Visio handles a specially crafted version number in a Visio (.VSD, VSS, or .VST) file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability when Visio does not correctly validate the version number field when processing the contents of a file. Such a specially crafted file might be included as an e-mail attachment, or hosted on a malicious or compromised Web site.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2007-0934.

Mitigating Factors for Version Number Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0934

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:
β€’

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability In addition, Web sites that accept or host user-provided content, or compromised Web sites and advertisement servers could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.
β€’

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
β€’

The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message.
β€’

Microsoft Office Visio 2007 is not affected by this vulnerability.
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Workarounds for Version Number Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0934

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:
β€’

Use Microsoft Visio Viewer 2003 or Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 to open and view files. Microsoft Visio Viewer 2003 and Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 are not affected by the issue. Users can download the Microsoft Visio Viewer 2003 and Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 from the Microsoft Download Center.
β€’

Do not open or save Microsoft Visio files that you receive from untrusted sources or that you receive unexpectedly from trusted sources.
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FAQ for Version Number Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0934

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Visio. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability could remotely take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Microsoft Visio does not correctly validate the version number field when processing version related data of a file.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code on a user’s system. This could allow an attacker to take complete control of the affected system.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
This vulnerability requires that a user open a specially crafted Visio file with an affected version of Microsoft Visio.

In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially-crafted file to the user and by convincing the user to open the file.

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site that contains a Visio file that is used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a specially crafted Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link that takes them to the attacker's site.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers that have Microsoft Visio installed are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft Visio handles the validation of Visio file version related data.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly disclosed when this security bulletin was originally issued. This security bulletin addresses the privately disclosed vulnerability as well as additional issues discovered through internal investigations.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers and had not seen any examples of proof of concept code published when this security bulletin was originally issued.
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Visio Document Packaging Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0936

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Visio as a result of the way it incorrectly handles the parsing of packed objects within the Visio file format. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by constructing a malicious Visio (.VSD, VSS, or .VST) file that could potentially allow remote code execution if a user visited a malicious Web site or opened a specially crafted Visio attachment included in an e-mail message. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2007-0936.

Mitigating Factors for Visio Document Packaging Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0936

Mitigation refers to a setting, common configuration, or general best-practice, existing in a default state, that could reduce the severity of exploitation of a vulnerability. The following mitigating factors may be helpful in your situation:
β€’

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a Web site that contains a Web page that is used to exploit this vulnerability In addition, Web sites that accept or host user-provided content, or compromised Web sites and advertisement servers could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these Web sites. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade users to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link in an e-mail message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's Web site.
β€’

An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
β€’

The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message.
β€’

Microsoft Office Visio 2007 is not affected by this vulnerability.
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Workarounds for Visio Document Packaging Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0936

Workaround refers to a setting or configuration change that does not correct the underlying vulnerability but would help block known attack vectors before you apply the update. Microsoft has tested the following workarounds and states in the discussion whether a workaround reduces functionality:
β€’

Use Microsoft Visio Viewer 2003 or Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 to open and view files. Microsoft Visio Viewer 2003 and Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 are not affected by the issue. Users can download the Microsoft Visio Viewer 2003 and Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007 from the Microsoft Download Center.
β€’

Do not open or save Microsoft Visio files that you receive from untrusted sources or that you receive unexpectedly from trusted sources. This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a specially crafted file.
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FAQ for Visio Document Packaging Vulnerability - CVE-2007-0936

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Visio. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could remotely take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Visio incorrectly handles the parsing of a packed object resulting in memory corruption.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause arbitrary code to run with the privileges of the user who opened the file.

How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
This vulnerability requires that a user open a specially crafted Visio file with an affected version of Microsoft Visio.

In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially-crafted file to the user and by convincing the user to open the file.

In a Web-based attack scenario, an attacker would have to host a Web site that contains a Visio file that is used to attempt to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content could contain specially crafted content that could exploit this vulnerability. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit a specially crafted Web site. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade them to visit the Web site, typically by getting them to click a link that takes them to the attacker's site.

What systems are primarily at risk from the vulnerability?
Workstations and terminal servers that have Microsoft Visio installed are primarily at risk. Servers could be at more risk if administrators allow users to log on to servers and to run programs. However, best practices strongly discourage allowing this.

What does the update do?
The update removes the vulnerability by modifying the way that Visio validates packaging and parsing related data in a Visio file (.VSS, .VSD, or .VST) file.

When this security bulletin was issued, had this vulnerability been publicly disclosed?
No. Microsoft received information about this vulnerability through responsible disclosure. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly disclosed when this security bulletin was originally issued. This security bulletin addresses the privately disclosed vulnerability as well as additional issues discovered through internal investigations.

When this security bulletin was issued, had Microsoft received any reports that this vulnerability was being exploited?
No. Microsoft had not received any information to indicate that this vulnerability had been publicly used to attack customers and had not seen any examples of proof of concept code published when this security bulletin was originally issued.
Other Information
Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:

Chris Ries of Vigilant Minds for reporting the Visio Document Packaging Vulnerability – (CVE-2007-0936).
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Disclaimer

The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.
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Revisions
β€’

V1.0 (June 12, 2007): Bulletin published.