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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-009 - Critical

Vulnerability in Microsoft Word Could Allow Remote Code Execution (947077)

Published: | Updated:

Version: 1.2

General Information

Executive Summary

This critical security update resolves one privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Word that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Word 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 is a critical security update for supported editions of Microsoft Office 2000 and an important security update for Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Office 2003, and Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003. 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 Suite and Other SoftwareComponentMaximum Security ImpactAggregate Severity RatingBulletins Replaced by This Update
Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3Microsoft Word 2000 Service Pack 3
(KB943990)
Remote Code ExecutionCriticalMS07-060
Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3Microsoft Word 2002 Service Pack 3
(KB943957)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-060
Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2Microsoft Word 2003 Service Pack 2
(KB943983)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-024
Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003
(KB943992)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS07-024

Non-Affected Software

Office Suite and Other Software
Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003 Service Pack 3
2007 Microsoft Office System
2007 Microsoft Office System Service Pack 1
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac
Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Word Memory Corruption Vulnerability – CVE-2008-0109

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:

  • Rubén Santamarta of Reversemode.com for reporting the Word Memory Corruption Vulnerability (CVE-2008-0109).

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 (February 12, 2008): Bulletin published.
  • V1.1 (April 16, 2008): Bulletin updated: Added entry to Update FAQ to describe additional security features included for Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2.
  • V1.2 (September 10, 2008): Bulletin updated: Added entry to Update FAQ to clarify why non-vulnerable versions of Microsoft Office can be offered this update.