ZDI-09-056: Microsoft Office OWC10.Spreadsheet ActiveX BorderAround() Heap Corruption Vulnerability

ZDI-09-056: Microsoft Office OWC10.Spreadsheet ActiveX BorderAround() Heap
Corruption Vulnerability
http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-056
August 11, 2009

– CVE ID:
CVE-2009-2496

– Affected Vendors:
Microsoft

– Affected Products:
Microsoft Office Word
Microsoft Office Excel

– TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection:
TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this
vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 8298.
For further product information on the TippingPoint IPS, visit:

http://www.tippingpoint.com

– Vulnerability Details:
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on
vulnerable installations of Microsoft Office. User interaction is
required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a
malicious page.

The specific vulnerability exists in the OWC10.Spreadsheet.10 ActiveX
control installed by Microsoft Office. By accessing specific methods in
a certain order heap corruption occurs leading to remote code execution.
If exploited, complete control of the affected system can be achieved
under the rights of the currently logged in user.

– Vendor Response:
Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More
details can be found at:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS09-043.mspx

– Disclosure Timeline:
2007-12-11 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
2009-08-11 - Coordinated public release of advisory

– Credit:
This vulnerability was discovered by:
* Peter Vreugdenhil

– About the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI):
Established by TippingPoint, The Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) represents
a best-of-breed model for rewarding security researchers for responsibly
disclosing discovered vulnerabilities.

Researchers interested in getting paid for their security research
through the ZDI can find more information and sign-up at:

http://www.zerodayinitiative.com

The ZDI is unique in how the acquired vulnerability information is
used. TippingPoint does not re-sell the vulnerability details or any
exploit code. Instead, upon notifying the affected product vendor,
TippingPoint provides its customers with zero day protection through
its intrusion prevention technology. Explicit details regarding the
specifics of the vulnerability are not exposed to any parties until
an official vendor patch is publicly available. Furthermore, with the
altruistic aim of helping to secure a broader user base, TippingPoint
provides this vulnerability information confidentially to security
vendors (including competitors) who have a vulnerability protection or
mitigation product.

Our vulnerability disclosure policy is available online at:

http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/disclosure_policy/