Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-116 - Important

Security Update for Microsoft Office to Address Remote Code Execution (3104540)

Published: November 10, 2015

Version: 1.0

Executive Summary

This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office. The most severe of the vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Microsoft Office file. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerabilities could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Customers whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.

For more information, see the Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings section.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by:

  • Correcting how Office handles objects in memory
  • Ensuring that Internet Explorer prevents affected Office applications from being instantiated via a COM control
  • Correcting how Microsoft Outlook validates and sanitizes HTML input

For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Vulnerability Information section.

For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3104540

Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings

The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

The following severity ratings assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin's release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the November bulletin summary.  

Microsoft Office Software

Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Affected Software Microsoft Office Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2015-2503 Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6038 Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6091 Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6092 Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6093 Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6094 Microsoft Outlook for Mac Spoofing Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6123 Updates Replaced*
Microsoft Office 2007
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 3 (3101555) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 3085544 in MS15-046
Microsoft Access 2007 Service Pack 3 (2596614) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Excel 2007 Service Pack 3 (3101554) ImportantElevation of Privilege ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3085615 in MS15-110
Microsoft InfoPath 2007 Service Pack 3 (2687406) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2687439 in MS12-066
Microsoft OneNote 2007 Service Pack 3 (2889915) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2596857 in MS14-048
Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 Service Pack 3 (3085548) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055051 in MS15-081
Microsoft Project 2007 Service Pack 3 (2596770) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Publisher 2007 Service Pack 3 (2880506) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2817565 in MS14-020
Microsoft Visio 2007 Service Pack 3 (3101553) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3085542 in MS15-110
Microsoft Word 2007 Service Pack 3 (3085552) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055052 in MS15-081
Microsoft Office 2007 IME (Japanese) Service Pack 3 (2899473) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2889913 in MS14-078
Microsoft Office 2010
Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (3101521) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 2687501 in MS12-057
Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (3101521) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 2687501 in MS12-057
Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (3101529) Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055037 in MS15-081
Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (3101529) Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055037 in MS15-081
Microsoft Access 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (3101544) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Access 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (3101544) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Excel 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (3101543) ImportantElevation of Privilege ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3085609 in MS15-110
Microsoft Excel 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (3101543) ImportantElevation of Privilege ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3085609 in MS15-110
Microsoft InfoPath 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (2878230) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2687422 in MS13-035
Microsoft InfoPath 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (2878230) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2687422 in MS13-035
Microsoft OneNote 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (3054978) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft OneNote 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (3054978) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (3085594) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055033 in MS15-081
Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (3085594) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055033 in MS15-081
Microsoft Project 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (3085614) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Project 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (3085614) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Publisher 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (2817478) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2553147 in MS13-042
Microsoft Publisher 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (2817478) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2553147 in MS13-042
Microsoft Visio 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (3101526) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3085514 in MS15-110
Microsoft Visio 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (3101526) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3085514 in MS15-110
Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2 (32-bit editions) (2965313) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2553428 in MS15-033
Microsoft Word 2010 Service Pack 2 (64-bit editions) (2965313) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2553428 in MS15-033
Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (32-bit version) (2899516) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2687413 in MS13-075
Microsoft Pinyin IME 2010 (64-bit version) (2899516) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2687413 in MS13-075
Microsoft Office 2013
Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3101360) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 2956151 in MS15-022
Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3101360) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 2956151 in MS15-022
Microsoft Access 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3085584) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Access 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3085584) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3101499) ImportantElevation of Privilege ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3085583 in MS15-110
Microsoft Excel 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3101499) ImportantElevation of Privilege ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3085583 in MS15-110
Microsoft InfoPath 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3054793) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft InfoPath 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3054793) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft OneNote 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3101371) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft OneNote 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3101371) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3101359) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055029 in MS15-081
Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3101359) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055029 in MS15-081
Microsoft Project 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3101506) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Project 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3101506) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Publisher 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3085561) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Publisher 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3085561) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Visio 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3101365) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3054929 in MS15-081
Microsoft Visio 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3101365) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3054929 in MS15-081
Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit editions) (3101370) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055030 in MS15-081
Microsoft Word 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit editions) (3101370) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055030 in MS15-081
Microsoft Office 2013 RT
Microsoft Office 2013 RT Service Pack 1 (3101360)[1] Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 2956151 in MS15-022
Microsoft Excel 2013 RT Service Pack 1 (3101499)[1] ImportantElevation of Privilege ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3085583 in MS15-110
Microsoft OneNote 2013 RT Service Pack 1 (3101371)[1] ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 RT Service Pack 1 (3101359)[1] ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055029 in MS15-081
Microsoft Word 2013 RT Service Pack 1 (3101370)[1] ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 3055030 in MS15-081
Microsoft Office 2016
Microsoft Office 2016 (32-bit edition) (3101512) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Office 2016 (64-bit edition) (3101512) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Office 2016 (32-bit edition) (3101514) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Office 2016 (64-bit edition) (3101514) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Access 2016 (32-bit edition) (2910978) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Access 2016 (64-bit edition) (2910978) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Excel 2016 (32-bit edition) (3101510) ImportantElevation of Privilege ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 2920693 in MS15-110
Microsoft Excel 2016 (64-bit edition) (3101510) ImportantElevation of Privilege ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 2920693 in MS15-110
Microsoft OneNote 2016 (32-bit edition) (2920726) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft OneNote 2016 (64-bit edition) (2920726) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 (32-bit edition) (3101509) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 (64-bit edition) (3101509) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Project 2016 (32-bit edition) (2920698) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Project 2016 (64-bit edition) (2920698) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Publisher 2016 (32-bit edition) (2920680) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Publisher 2016 (64-bit edition) (2920680) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable None
Microsoft Visio 2016 (32-bit edition) (3101507) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2920708 in MS15-081
Microsoft Visio 2016 (64-bit edition) (3101507) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2920708 in MS15-081
Microsoft Word 2016 (32-bit edition) (3101513) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2920691 in MS15-081
Microsoft Word 2016 (64-bit edition) (3101513) ImportantElevation of Privilege Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2920691 in MS15-081
Microsoft Office for Mac 2011
Microsoft Excel for Mac 2011 (3102924) Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantSpoofing 3097266 in MS15-110
Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac
Microsoft Excel 2016 for Mac (3102925) Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantSpoofing 3097264 in MS15-110
Other Office Software
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 (3101558) Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3085618 in MS15-110
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 (3085551) Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 2986254 in MS15-081
Microsoft Excel Viewer (3101560) Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3085619 in MS15-110
Microsoft Word Viewer (3101564) Not applicable Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 3055053 in MS15-081

[1]This update is available via Windows Update

*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in a chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is on the Package Details tab).

Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps

Vulnerability Severity Rating and Maximum Security Impact by Affected Software
Affected Software Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6038 Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6093 Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6094 Updates Replaced*
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007
Excel Services on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 3 (32-bit editions) (3101559) ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 3054994 in MS15-110
Excel Services on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007 Service Pack 3 (64-bit editions) (3101559) ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 3054994 in MS15-110
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
Excel Services on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Service Pack 2 (3101525) ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable Not applicable 3085596 in MS15-110
Word Automation Services on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 Service Pack 2 (3085511) Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3054960 in MS15-081
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
Excel Services on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Service Pack 1 (3101364) ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution 3085568 in MS15-110
Word Automation Services on Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Service Pack 1 (3085477) Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3054858 in MS15-081
Microsoft Office Web Apps 2010
Microsoft Office Web Apps 2010 Service Pack 2 (3101533) Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3085520 in MS15-110
Microsoft Office Web Apps 2013
Microsoft Office Web Apps Server 2013 Service Pack 1 (3101367) Not applicable ImportantRemote Code Execution Not applicable 3085571 in MS15-110

*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in a chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is on the Package Details tab).

Microsoft Communications Platforms and Software

Software Microsoft Office Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2015-2503 Updates Replaced
Skype for Business 2016
Skype for Business 2016 (32-bit) (3085634) ImportantElevation of Privilege 2910994 in MS15-097
Skype for Business Basic 2016 (32-bit) (3085634) ImportantElevation of Privilege 2910994 in MS15-097
Skype for Business 2016 (64-bit) (3085634) ImportantElevation of Privilege 2910994 in MS15-097
Skype for Business Basic 2016 (64-bit) (3085634) ImportantElevation of Privilege 2910994 in MS15-097
Microsoft Lync 2013 (Skype for Business)
Microsoft Lync 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit) (Skype for Business)[1](3101496) ImportantElevation of Privilege 3085500 in MS15-097
Microsoft Lync Basic 2013 Service Pack 1 (32-bit)[1](Skype for Business Basic) (3101496) ImportantElevation of Privilege 3085500 in MS15-097
Microsoft Lync 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit) (Skype for Business)[1](3101496) ImportantElevation of Privilege 3085500 in MS15-097
Microsoft Lync Basic 2013 Service Pack 1 (64-bit)[1](Skype for Business Basic) (3101496) ImportantElevation of Privilege 3085500 in MS15-097

[1]Before installing this update, you must have update 2965218 and security update 3039779 installed. See the Update FAQ for more information.

Update FAQ

I have Microsoft Word 2010 installed. Why am I not being offered the 3101529 update?
The 3101529 update only applies to systems running specific configurations of Microsoft Office 2010. Some configurations will not be offered the update.

I am being offered this update for software that is not specifically indicated as being affected in the Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings table. Why am I being offered this update?
When updates address vulnerable code that exists in a component that is shared between multiple Microsoft Office products or shared between multiple versions of the same Microsoft Office product, the update is considered to be applicable to all supported products and versions that contain the vulnerable component.

For example, when an update applies to Microsoft Office 2007 products, only Microsoft Office 2007 may be specifically listed in the Affected Software table. However, the update could apply to Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Excel 2007, Microsoft Visio 2007, Microsoft Compatibility Pack, Microsoft Excel Viewer, or any other Microsoft Office 2007 product that is not specifically listed in the Affected Software table.

For example, when an update applies to Microsoft Office 2010 products, only Microsoft Office 2010 may be specifically listed in the Affected Software table. However, the update could apply to Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, Microsoft Visio 2010, Microsoft Visio Viewer, or any other Microsoft Office 2010 product that is not specifically listed in the Affected Software table.

For example, when an update applies to Microsoft Office 2013 products, only Microsoft Office 2013 may be specifically listed in the Affected Software table. However, the update could apply to Microsoft Word 2013, Microsoft Excel 2013, Microsoft Visio 2013, or any other Microsoft Office 2013 product that is not specifically listed in the Affected Software table.

Why are some of the update files listed in this bulletin also denoted in MS15-123 - Security Update for Skype for Business and Lync to Address Information Disclosure?  Several of the update files listed in this bulletin (MS15-116) are also denoted in MS15-123 because of overlaps in affected software. Although the two bulletins address separate security vulnerabilities, the security updates have been consolidated where possible and appropriate. For this reason, some identical update files are present in both of these bulletins.

Note that identical update files shipping with multiple bulletins do not need to be installed more than once.

Are there any prerequisites for any of the updates offered in this bulletin for affected editions of Microsoft Lync 2013 (Skype for Business)?
Yes. Customers running affected editions of Microsoft Lync 2013 (Skype for Business) must first install the 2965218 update for Office 2013 released in April, 2015, and then the 3039779 security update released in May, 2015. For more information about these two prerequisite updates, see:

Vulnerability Information

Multiple Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerabilities

Multiple remote code execution vulnerabilities exist in Microsoft Office software when the Office software fails to properly handle objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerabilities could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the 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.

Exploitation of the vulnerabilities requires that a user open a specially crafted file with an affected version of Microsoft Office software. In an email attack scenario an attacker could exploit the vulnerabilities by sending the specially crafted file to the user and convincing the user to open the file. In a web-based attack scenario an attacker could host a website (or leverage a compromised website that accepts or hosts user-provided content) that contains a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the vulnerabilities. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit the website. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to click a link, typically by way of an enticement in an email or Instant Messenger message, and then convince them to open the specially crafted file.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by correcting how Office handles objects in memory.

The following tables contain links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

Vulnerability title CVE number Publicly disclosed Exploited
Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2015-6038 No No
Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2015-6091 No No
Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2015-6092 No No
Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2015-6093 No No
Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability CVE-2015-6094 No No

 

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for these vulnerabilities. 

Microsoft Office Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability - CVE-2015-2503

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office software when an attacker instantiates an affected Office application via a COM control. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could gain elevated privileges and break out of the Internet Explorer sandbox.

To successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to take advantage of an existing vulnerability in Internet Explorer by tricking a user into downloading a specially crafted application.

Most likely, this vulnerability would be used in conjunction with another vulnerability that allowed remote code execution. For example, an attacker could exploit another vulnerability to run arbitrary code through Internet Explorer, but due to the context in which processes are launched by Internet Explorer, the code might be restricted to run at a low integrity level (very limited permissions). However, an attacker could, in turn, exploit this vulnerability to cause the arbitrary code to run at a medium integrity level (permissions of the current user).

The security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring that Internet Explorer prevents affected Office applications from being instantiated via a COM control.

This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed. It has been assigned Common Vulnerability and Exposure number CVE-2015-2503. At the time this security bulletin was originally issued, Microsoft was unaware of any attack attempting to exploit this vulnerability.

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability. 

Microsoft Outlook for Mac Spoofing Vulnerability - CVE-2015-6123

A spoofing vulnerability exists when Microsoft Outlook for Mac does not sanitize HTML or treat it in a safe manner. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could trick a user by redirecting them to a malicious website. The malicious website could spoof content or be used as a pivot to chain an attack with other vulnerabilities in web services.

For this vulnerability to be exploited, a user must preview a maliciously crafted email from an attacker where they would unknowingly be redirected to a malicious URL.

The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Microsoft Outlook validates and sanitizes HTML input. Microsoft received information about the vulnerability through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. At the time this security bulletin was originally issued, Microsoft was unaware of any attack attempting to exploit this vulnerability.

Mitigating Factors

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Microsoft has not identified any workarounds for this vulnerability. 

Security Update Deployment

For Security Update Deployment information, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article referenced in the Executive Summary.

Acknowledgments

Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See Acknowledgments for more information. 

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 (November 10, 2015): Bulletin published.

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