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Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-023 - Important

Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Publisher Could Allow Remote Code Execution (981160)

Published:

Version: 1.0

General Information

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Office Publisher that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Publisher file. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the local user. 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 security update is rated Important for supported versions of Microsoft Office Publisher 2002, Microsoft Office Publisher 2003, and Microsoft Office Publisher 2007. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that Microsoft Office Publisher opens specially crafted Publisher files. For more information about the vulnerability, 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 at the earliest opportunity.

Known Issues. Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 981160 documents the currently known issues that customers may experience when installing this security update. The article also documents recommended solutions for these issues. When currently known issues and recommended solutions pertain only to specific releases of this software, this article provides links to further articles.

Affected and Non-Affected Software

The following software 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 XP Service Pack 3Microsoft Office Publisher 2002 Service Pack 3
(KB980466)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS08-027
Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3Microsoft Office Publisher 2003 Service Pack 3
(KB980469)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS08-027
2007 Microsoft Office System Service Pack 1Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Service Pack 1
(KB980470)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantMS09-030
2007 Microsoft Office System Service Pack 2Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Service Pack 2
(KB980470)
Remote Code ExecutionImportantNone

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Related to This Security Update

Vulnerability Information

Severity Ratings and Vulnerability Identifiers

Microsoft Office Publisher File Conversion TextBox Processing Buffer Overflow Vulnerability - CVE-2010-0479

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:

  • Lionel d'Hauenens, working with TippingPoint’s Zero Day Initiative, for reporting the Microsoft Office Publisher File Conversion TextBox Processing Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (CVE-2010-0479)

Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP)

To improve security protections for customers, Microsoft provides vulnerability information to major security software providers in advance of each monthly security update release. Security software providers can then use this vulnerability information to provide updated protections to customers via their security software or devices, such as antivirus, network-based intrusion detection systems, or host-based intrusion prevention systems. To determine whether active protections are available from security software providers, please visit the active protections Web sites provided by program partners, listed in Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) Partners.

Support

  • Customers in the U.S. and Canada can receive technical support from Security Support or 1-866-PCSAFETY. There is no charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. For more information about available support options, see Microsoft Help and Support.
  • 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 (April 13, 2010): Bulletin published.