Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-019 – Important Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Visio Could Allow Remote Code Execution (949032)

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-019 – Important
Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Visio Could Allow Remote Code Execution (949032)
Published: April 8, 2008

Version: 1.0
General Information
Executive Summary

This security update resolves privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Visio that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Visio file. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could 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.

This security update is rated Important for Microsoft Office Visio 2002 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Service Pack 3, Microsoft Office Visio 2007, and Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Service Pack 1. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

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

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

Known Issues. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 949032 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when they install this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues.
Top of sectionTop of section
Affected and Non-Affected Software

The following software have been tested to determine which versions or editions are affected. Other versions or editions are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, visit Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

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

Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 2

Microsoft Visio 2002 Service Pack 2
(KB947896)

Remote Code Execution

Important

MS07-030

Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2

Microsoft Visio 2003 Service Pack 2
(KB947650)

Remote Code Execution

Important

MS07-030

Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3

Microsoft Visio 2003 Service Pack 3
(KB947650)

Remote Code Execution

Important

MS07-030

2007 Microsoft Office System

Microsoft Visio 2007
(KB947590)

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

2007 Microsoft Office System Service Pack 1

Microsoft Visio 2007 Service Pack 1
(KB947590)

Remote Code Execution

Important

None

Non-Affected Software
Other Office Software

Microsoft Visio 2002 Viewer

Microsoft Visio 2003 Viewer

Microsoft Visio 2007 Viewer

Microsoft Visio 2007 Viewer Service Pack 1
Top of sectionTop of section

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Where are the file information details?
The file information details can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 949032.

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

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

Customers who require custom support for older releases 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 Microsoft Worldwide Information, 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.
Top of sectionTop of section
Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers
Affected Software Visio Object Header Vulnerability CVE-2008-1089 Visio Memory Validation Vulnerability CVE-2008-1090 Aggregate Severity Rating

Microsoft Office Visio 2002 Service Pack 2

Important
Remote Code Execution

Moderate
Remote Code Execution

Important

Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Service Pack 2

Important
Remote Code Execution

Moderate
Remote Code Execution

Important

Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Service Pack 3

Important
Remote Code Execution

Moderate
Remote Code Execution

Important

Microsoft Office Visio 2007

Important
Remote Code Execution

Moderate
Remote Code Execution

Important

Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Service Pack 1

Important
Remote Code Execution

Moderate
Remote Code Execution

Important
Top of sectionTop of section

Visio Object Header Vulnerability CVE-2008-1089

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way Microsoft Visio validates object header data in specially crafted files. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a malformed file which could be included as an e-mail attachment, or hosted on a specially crafted or compromised Web site.

If a user were logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could 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 affected than users who operate with administrative user rights.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-1089.

Mitigating Factors for Visio Object Header Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1089

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:
•

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, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements 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 convince 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.
•

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.
•

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.
Top of sectionTop of section

Workarounds for Visio Object Header Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1089

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:
•

Use Microsoft Visio 2003 Viewer or Microsoft Visio 2007 Viewer to open and view Visio files. Microsoft Visio 2003 Viewer and Microsoft Visio 2007 Viewer are not affected by the issue.
•

Do not open or save 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.
Top of sectionTop of section

FAQ for Visio Object Header Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1089

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system remotely. An attacker could then install programs or view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Microsoft Visio does not properly validate object header data when opening Visio files.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code as the logged-on user. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take complete control of the 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.

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

In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a malformed Visio 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 an 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 convince users 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?
Systems where Microsoft Visio is used 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 performing validation when allocating space for object header data when opening Visio files.

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.
Top of sectionTop of section
Top of sectionTop of section

Visio Memory Validation Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1090

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way Microsoft Visio validates memory allocations when loading specially-crafted .DXF files from disk into memory. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a malformed file which could be included as an e-mail attachment, or hosted on a specially crafted or compromised Web site.

If a user were logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could 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 affected than users who operate with administrative user rights.

To view this vulnerability as a standard entry in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list, see CVE-2008-1090.

Mitigating Factors for Visio Memory Validation Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1090

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:
•

By default, AutoCAD drawing files (.DXF file extension) are not registered by Visio by default and would not open a specially crafted .DXF file by double clicking on it. An attacker would have to convince a user to open a .DXF file by opening Visio, selecting Open and then change the default file type from "All Visio Files" to "AutoCAD Drawing".
•

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, compromised Web sites and Web sites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements 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 convince 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.
•

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.
•

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.
Top of sectionTop of section

Workarounds for Visio Memory Validation Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1090

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:
•

Disable Visio from opening .DXF file by restricting access to DWGDP.DLL.

To restrict access to DWGDP.DLL, type the following at the command prompt:

Note For Vista, an account with administrator privileges is required to implement this workaround.

For Windows XP
Echo y|cacls "%ProgramFiles%\microsoft office\visio11\dll\dwgdp.dll" /D everyone

For Windows Vista
Takeown.exe /f "%ProgramFiles%\microsoft office\visio11\dll\dwgdp.dll"

Icacls.exe "%ProgramFiles%\microsoft office\visio11\dll\dwgdp.dll" /save %TEMP%\DWGDP_ACL.TXT

Icacls.exe "%ProgramFiles%\microsoft office\visio11\dll\dwgdp.dll" /deny everyone:(F)

Impact of Workaround: The impact of implementing this workaround is that Visio will no longer open AutoCAD drawing files (.DXF). If you have no need to open AutoCAD drawing files, this workaround should have no impact to your system’s functionality.

How to Undo the Workaround: To rollback this workaround, type the following at the command prompt:

For Windows XP
cacls "%ProgramFiles%\microsoft office\visio11\dll\dwgdp.dll" /G everyone

For Windows Vista
Icacls "%ProgramFiles%\microsoft office\visio11\dll\dwgdp.dll" /grant everyone:(F)

Icacls "%ProgramFiles%\microsoft office\visio11\dll\dwgdp.dll" /restore %TEMP%\DWGDP_ACL.TXT
•

Use Microsoft Visio 2003 Viewer or Microsoft Visio 2007 Viewer to open and view Visio files. Microsoft Visio 2003 Viewer and Microsoft Visio 2007 Viewer are not affected by the issue.
•

Do not open or save Microsoft Office 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.
Top of sectionTop of section

FAQ for Visio Memory Validation Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1090

What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system remotely. An attacker could then install programs or view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

What causes the vulnerability?
Microsoft Visio does not properly validate memory allocations when loading specially crafted .DXF files from disk into memory.

What might an attacker use the vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code as the logged-on user. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take complete control of the 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.

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

In an e-mail attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a malformed Visio 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 an 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 convince users 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?
Systems where Microsoft Visio is used 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 performing proper validation of memory allocations when loading Visio files from disk into memory.

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:
•

An anonymous finder for reporting the Visio Object Header Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1089.
•

An anonymous finder for reporting the Visio Memory Validation Vulnerability - CVE-2008-1090.

Support
•

Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Microsoft Product Support Services at 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates.
•

International customers can receive support from their local Microsoft subsidiaries. There is no charge for support that is associated with security updates. For more information about how to contact Microsoft for support issues, visit the International Support Web site.

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.
Top of sectionTop of section
Revisions
•

V1.0 (April 8, 2008): Bulletin published.