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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-060 - Critical

Vulnerability in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (942695)

Published: | Updated:

Version: 1.2

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Word that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Word file with a malformed string. 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, Microsoft Office XP, and Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

This security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way that Microsoft Word handles specially crafted Word 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 Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

Affected Software

Office SuiteComponentMaximum Security ImpactAggregate Severity RatingBulletins Replaced by This Update
Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3Microsoft Word 2000 Service Pack 3Remote Code ExecutionCriticalMS07-024
Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3Microsoft Word 2002 Service Pack 3Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-024
Microsoft Office 2004 for MacRemote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-024

Non-Affected Software

Office Suite
Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3
2007 Microsoft Office system

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Word Memory Corruption Vulnerability – CVE-2007-3899

Update Information

Detection and Deployment Tools and Guidance

Security Update Deployment

Other Information

Acknowledgments

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

  • Liu Kun-Hao of Information and Communication Security Technology Center for reporting the Word Memory Corruption Vulnerability (CVE-2007-3899).

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 (October 9, 2007): Bulletin published.
  • V1.1 (October 10, 2007): Bulletin updated: Hyperlink updated for the Microsoft Mactopia Web site to the correct download location of the 11.3.8 Update in the "Deployment Information" section.
  • V1.2 (October 17, 2007): Bulletin updated: Vulnerability FAQ updated to explain the nature of the update and plans for addressing similar stability issues.