HTTP: Microsoft Excel VisualBasic Object Validation Code Execution

This signature detects attempts to exploit a known buffer overflow vulnerability in Microsoft Excel product. It is due to improper parsing of Excel documents containing specially crafted ActiveX objects. Remote attackers can exploit this by enticing target users to open a crafted Excel file, potentially causing arbitrary code to be injected and executed in the security context of the current user. In a successful attack, the behavior of the target is dependent on the intention of the malicious code. In an unsuccessful attack, the application can terminate as a result of invalid memory access. If unexpected termination of the application is the sole result of an attack, there is no impact to the overall operation of the target host. It is, however, possible to lose all unsaved data due to the abnormal termination.

Extended Description

Microsoft Excel is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability. Attackers may exploit this issue by enticing victims into opening a maliciously crafted Excel file. Successful exploits may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.

Affected Products

Microsoft excel_viewer

References

BugTraq: 31705

CVE: CVE-2008-3477

Short Name

HTTP:STC:DL:XLS-VBOBJ-RCE

Severity

Major

Recommended

False

Recommended Action

Drop

HTTP: Microsoft Excel VisualBasic Object Validation Code Execution

Extended Description

Affected Products

References

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