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Security Bulletin

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-037 - Critical

Flaw in Visual Basic for Applications Could Allow Arbitrary Code Execution (822715)

Published: September 03, 2003 | Updated: November 24, 2003

Version: 1.1

Originally posted: September 03, 2003
Updated: November 24, 2003

Summary

Who should read this bulletin:  Customers using Microsoft ® Office applications or applications that use Microsoft Visual Basic® for Applications.

Impact of vulnerability:  Allow attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Maximum Severity Rating:  Critical

Recommendation:  Customers using Microsoft ® Office applications or Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications should apply the patch at the earliest available opportunity.

End User Bulletin: An end user version of this bulletin is available at:

https:.

Affected Software:

  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 5.0
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.0
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.2
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.3

Products which Include the Affected Software:

  • Microsoft Access 97
  • Microsoft Access 2000
  • Microsoft Access 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 97
  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 97
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2000
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
  • Microsoft Project 2000
  • Microsoft Project 2002
  • Microsoft Publisher 2002
  • Microsoft Visio 2000
  • Microsoft Visio 2002
  • Microsoft Word 97
  • Microsoft Word 98(J)
  • Microsoft Word 2000
  • Microsoft Word 2002
  • Microsoft Works Suite 2001
  • Microsoft Works Suite 2002
  • Microsoft Works Suite 2003
  • Microsoft Works Suite 2004
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains 7.5
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 6.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 7.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 6.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 7.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 4.5
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.5

General Information

Technical details

Technical description:

Microsoft VBA is a development technology for developing client desktop packaged applications and integrating them with existing data and systems. Microsoft VBA is based on the Microsoft Visual Basic development system. Microsoft Office products include VBA and make use of VBA to perform certain functions. VBA can also be used to build customized applications based around an existing host application.

A flaw exists in the way VBA checks document properties passed to it when a document is opened by the host application. A buffer overrun exists which if exploited successfully could allow an attacker to execute code of their choice in the context of the logged on user.

In order for an attack to be successful, a user would have to open a specially crafted document sent to them by an attacker. This document could be any type of document that supports VBA, such as a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation. In the case where Microsoft Word is being used as the HTML e-mail editor for Microsoft Outlook, this document could be an e-mail, however the user would need to reply to, or forward the mail message in order for the vulnerability to be exploited.

Mitigating factors:

  • The user must open a document sent to them by an attacker in order for this vulnerability to be exploited.
  • When Microsoft Word is being used as the HTML e-mail editor in Outlook, a user would need to reply to or forward a malicious e-mail document sent to them in order for this vulnerability to be exploited.
  • An attacker's code could only run with the same rights as the logged on user. The specific privileges the attacker could gain through this vulnerability would therefore depend on the privileges granted to the user. Any limitations on a user's account, such as those applied through Group Policies, would also limit the actions of any arbitrary code executed by this vulnerability.

Severity Rating:
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 5.0 Critical
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.0 Critical
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.2 Critical
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.3 Critical

The above assessment is based on the types of systems affected by the vulnerability, their typical deployment patterns, and the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would have on them.

Vulnerability identifier: CAN-2003-0347

Tested Versions:

Microsoft tested Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 5.0, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.0, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.2 and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications SDK 6.3 assess whether they are affected by this vulnerability. In addition, Microsoft investigated all supported versions of the software listed in the "Products which Includes the Affected Software" section to determine whether they included the vulnerable software. Previous versions are no longer supported, and may or may not be affected by these vulnerabilities.

Frequently asked questions

What's the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a buffer overrun vulnerability that could allow an attacker to run arbitrary code of their choice on a user's machine in the security context of that user, if the user were to open a specially malformed document.

What causes the vulnerability?
The vulnerability results because of a flaw in the way that Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) checks certain document properties that are passed to it from a host application when a document is opened. As a result it is possible for the host application to pass unchecked parameters to Microsoft VBA, causing a buffer overrun condition that could allow arbitrary code to be executed.

What is Microsoft VBA?
Microsoft VBA is a development technology for developing client desktop packaged applications and integrating them with existing data and systems. VBA is based on the Microsoft Visual Basic development system. Visual Basic for Applications provides an integrated development environment (IDE) that features the same elements familiar to developers using Microsoft Visual Basic, including a Project Window, a Properties Window, and debugging tools. Microsoft VBA also includes support for Microsoft Forms, for creating custom dialog boxes, and ActiveX® Controls, for building user interfaces. VBA is integrated directly into a host application. Software programs that include VBA are called customizable applications-applications that can be tailored to fit specific business needs. Microsoft Office is one of the many applications that incorporates Microsoft VBA, allowing customers to develop custom applications based on Microsoft Office. There are also other non-Microsoft applications that incorporate Microsoft VBA.

What's wrong with Microsoft VBA?
When a document is opened by an application that supports Microsoft VBA, the host application carries out a check to determine whether Microsoft VBA is required by the document and should therefore be loaded. During this initial check some document properties are passed to Microsoft VBA - a flaw exists because Microsoft VBA does not correctly validate the data that is passed to it during this initial phase.

Does this mean that Microsoft Office does not correctly check the security on a document?
No - the flaw is in a process that is initiated before any security checks occur. The flaw is in the initial check to determine whether Microsoft VBA is required by the host application in order to handle the document being opened. As a result, any security checks such as Macro protection checks, would not have not occurred when the vulnerability could be encountered.

What could this vulnerability enable an attacker to do?
This vulnerability could enable an attacker to execute code of their choice in the context of the logged on user.

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability?
An attacker could seek to exploit this vulnerability by sending a user a specially crafted document designed to exploit this vulnerability, and encouraging the user to open the document. When the user opened the document it could cause arbitrary code to execute on the system in the security context of the logged on user. In the case where Microsoft Word is being used as the e-mail editor for Microsoft Outlook - which is the default setting for Office XP - an attacker could send a specially crafted e-mail to the user, and could cause arbitrary code to be executed if the user were to reply or forward the e-mail. An attacker could also seek to exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious document and hosting it on a webpage, and then enticing a user to visit the website. If the user were to visit the site and follow a link to the document, the document could open automatically, and therefore could allow arbitrary code to be run.

If I'm using Microsoft Word as my e-mail editor, can the vulnerability be exploited just through reading e-mail?
No - simply reading e-mail will not allow the vulnerability to be exploited. The user must reply to or forward the attacker's e-mail.

What does the patch do?
The patch eliminates the vulnerability by ensuring that Microsoft VBA carries out the appropriate checks on the data passed to it by a host application when a document is opened.

There are a number of patches available for this vulnerability? Which one should I install?
This depends on which version of Microsoft VBA and which host application you are using:

Microsoft VBA Patch:

If you are using any of the following applications, you should apply the Microsoft VBA Version of the patch:

  • Microsoft VBA 5.0
  • Microsoft VBA 6.0
  • Microsoft VBA 6.2
  • Microsoft VBA 6.3.
  • Microsoft Access 97
  • Microsoft Excel 97
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 97
  • Microsoft Word 97
  • Microsoft Word 98(J)
  • Microsoft Works 2001
  • Microsoft Works 2002
  • Microsoft Works Suite 2003
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains 7.5
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 6.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 7.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 6.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 7.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 4.5
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.0
  • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.5

Microsoft Project 2000, Microsoft Project 2002 and Microsoft Visio Patches:

If you are using Microsoft Project or Microsoft Visio you should apply the specific version of the patch for those products.

Microsoft Office 2000 and Microsoft Office XP patches:

If you are using Microsoft Office 2000 or Microsoft Office XP (including Publisher 2002) you should apply the specific version of the patch for those products.

I'm using more than one of the products listed above. Should I apply the product specific patch for each product?
Yes- you should patch each product that is listed above. For example, if you are using Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Visio 2000, you should apply both the Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Visio versions of the patch.

How do I tell which version of Microsoft VBA I am using?
To check if VBA is present on your system and to identify which version you are running check for the following files (where C:\ is your system drive):

  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\vbe.dll - if this file is present you have VBA 5.0.
  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\VBA6\vbe6.dll - if this file is present you have VBA 6.0.

I have a non-Microsoft application that makes use of Microsoft VBA. What should I do?
Microsoft has worked with 3rd parties who develop applications using Microsoft VBA to make sure they are aware of this security vulnerability and that they have the necessary updates to Microsoft VBA to incorporate in their products. You should contact your software vendor to obtain updates for any non-Microsoft applications that use Microsoft VBA.

Patch availability

Download locations for this patch There are several versions of this patch, depending on which application you have that uses VBA. You are strongly advised to read the FAQ above entitled "There are a number of patches available for this vulnerability? Which one should I install?" in order to determine which version of the patch you should apply.

Additional information about this patch

Installation platforms:

  • The Microsoft Office 2000 patch can be install on systems running Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3. (The administrative update can be installed on systems running Office 2000 Service Pack 3).
  • The Microsoft Office XP patch can be installed on systems running Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft Works 2002, and Microsoft Works 2003. (The administrative update can be installed on systems running Office XP Service Pack 1).
  • The Microsoft Visio 2002 patch can be installed on systems running Microsoft Visio 2002.
  • The Microsoft VBA patch can be installed on systems running:
    • Microsoft VBA 5.0
    • Microsoft VBA 6.0
    • Microsoft VBA 6.2
    • Microsoft VBA 6.3.
    • Microsoft Access 97
    • Microsoft Excel 97
    • Microsoft PowerPoint 97
    • Microsoft Word 97
    • Microsoft Word 98(J)
    • Microsoft Word 98(J)
    • Microsoft Visio 2000
    • Microsoft Works Suite 2001
    • Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains 7.5
    • Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 6.0
    • Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics 7.0
    • Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 6.0
    • Microsoft Business Solutions eEnterprise 7.0
    • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 4.5
    • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.0
    • Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon 5.5

Inclusion in future service packs:

The fix for this issue will be included in any future service packs for Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Office 2000, Microsoft Project 2002, Microsoft Project 2000, and Microsoft Visio 2002.

Reboot needed:

If vbe.dll or vbe6.dll are in use at the time of installation, a reboot will be required to complete installation.

Patch can be uninstalled: No

Superseded patches: None.

Verifying patch installation:

Microsoft Office, Project, or Visio Patches:

Check the versions of the following files are as below (if C:\ is not your system drive, check the Drive containing the \Program Files folder):

  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\VBA6\vbe6.dll = 6.4.99.69

Microsoft VBA Patch:

Check the versions of the following files are as below:

  • VBA 5 - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\vbe.dll = 5.0.78.15
  • VBA 6- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VBA\VBA6\vbe6.dll = 6.4.99.69

Caveats:

None

Localization:

Localized versions of this patch are available at the locations discussed in "Patch Availability".

Obtaining other security patches:

Patches for other security issues are available from the following locations:

  • Security patches are available from the Microsoft Download Center, and can be most easily found by doing a keyword search for "security_patch".
  • Patches for consumer platforms are available from the WindowsUpdate web site

Other information:

Acknowledgments

Microsoft thanks eEye Digital Security for reporting this issue to us and working with us to protect customers.

Support:

Security Resources: The Microsoft TechNet Security Web Site provides additional information about security in Microsoft products.

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 (September 03, 2003): Bulletin Created.
  • V1.1 (November 24, 2003): Added Microsoft Works Suite 2004 to affected products.

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