Launch Printer Friendly Page Security TechCenter > Security Bulletins > Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-036

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-036 - Critical

Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (936542)

Published: | Updated:

Version: 2.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This critical update resolves one publicly disclosed vulnerability and two privately reported vulnerabilities in addition to other security issues identified during the course of the investigation. These vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Excel 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.

This is a critical security update for supported editions of Microsoft Office 2000. For supported editions of Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, and 2007 Microsoft Office System this update is rated important. This update is also rated important for the Excel Viewer 2003, Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats. 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 Excel handles specially crafted Excel 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 apply the update immediately.

Known Issues. None

Affected and Non-Affected Software

The software listed here 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 the Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Affected Software

Office Suite and Other Affected SoftwareComponentMaximum Security ImpactAggregate Severity RatingBulletins Replaced by This Update
Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3Microsoft Excel 2000 Service Pack 3Remote Code ExecutionCriticalMS07-023
Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3Microsoft Excel 2002 Service Pack 3Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-023
Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2Microsoft Excel 2003 Service Pack 2

Microsoft Excel 2003 Viewer

Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-023
Microsoft Office 2004 for MacMicrosoft Office 2004 for MacRemote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-023
2007 Microsoft Office SystemMicrosoft Office Excel 2007Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-023
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File FormatsRemote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-023

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Calculation Error Vulnerability - CVE-2007-1756

Worksheet Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2007-3029

Workbook Memory Corruption Vulnerability – CVE-2007-3030

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Security Update Deployment

Other Information

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.

Revisions

  • V1.0 (July 10, 2007): Bulletin published.
  • V2.0 (July 12, 2007): Bulletin updated. The bulletin has been updated throughout to include Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac as an affected product. File Manifest information updated for Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007.