Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-033
Vulnerability in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (886836)
Issued: October 12, 2004
Version: 1.0
Vulnerability in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Code Remote Execution
Who should read this document: Customers who use Microsoft Excel 2000, Microsoft Excel 2002, Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac, or Microsoft Excel v. X for Mac
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Maximum Severity Rating: Critical
Recommendation: Customers should apply the update immediately.
Security Update Replacement: MS03-050
Caveats: None
Tested Software and Security Update Download Locations:
Affected Software:
- Microsoft Office 2000 Software Service Pack 3 - Download the update (KB873372)
Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3 Software:
- Excel 2000
- Microsoft Office XP Software Service Pack 2 - Download the update (KB873366)
Microsoft Office XP Software:
- Excel 2002
- Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac - Download the update
Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac:
- Excel 2001 for Mac
- Microsoft Office v. X for Mac - Download the update
Microsoft Office v. X for Mac:
- Excel v. X for Mac
Non-Affected Software:
- Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3
- Microsoft Office Excel 2003
- Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac
The software in this list has been tested to determine if the versions are affected. Other versions either no longer include security update support or may not be affected. To determine the support lifecycle for your product and version, visit the following Microsoft Support Lifecycle Web site.
General Information
Executive Summary
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to this security update
Vulnerability Details
Security Update Information
Other Information
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks the following for working with us to help protect customers:
- Brett Moore of Security-Assessment.com for reporting the Excel Vulnerability (CAN-2004-0846).
Obtaining Other Security Updates:
Updates for other security issues are available from the following locations:
- Security updates are available from the Microsoft Download Center: You can find them most easily by doing a keyword search for "security_patch".
- Updates for consumer platforms are available from the Windows Update Web site.
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.
Security Resources:
- The Microsoft TechNet Security Web site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.
- Microsoft Software Update Services
- Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA)
- Windows Update
- Windows Update Catalog: For more information about the Windows Update Catalog, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 323166.
- Office Update
Software Update Services:
By using Microsoft Software Update Services (SUS), administrators can quickly and reliably deploy the latest critical updates and security updates to Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003-based servers, and to desktop systems that are running Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional.
For more information about how to deploy this security update with Software Update Services, visit the Software Update Services Web site.
Systems Management Server:
Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) delivers a highly-configurable enterprise solution for managing updates. By using SMS, administrators can identify Windows-based systems that require security updates and to perform controlled deployment of these updates throughout the enterprise with minimal disruption to end users. For more information about how administrators can use SMS 2003 to deploy security updates, visit SMS 2003 Security Patch Management Web site. SMS 2.0 users can also use Software Updates Service Feature Pack to help deploy security updates. For information about SMS, visit the SMS Web site.
Note SMS uses the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and the Microsoft Office Detection Tool to provide broad support for security bulletin update detection and deployment. Some software updates may not be detected by these tools. Administrators can use the inventory capabilities of the SMS in these cases to target updates to specific systems. For more information about this procedure, visit the following Web site. Some security updates require administrative rights following a restart of the system. Administrators can use the Elevated Rights Deployment Tool (available in the SMS 2003 Administration Feature Pack and in the SMS 2.0 Administration Feature Pack) to install these updates.
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 12, 2004): Bulletin published