MS-ISAC ADVISORY NUMBER:
2010-012

DATE(S) ISSUED:
2/9/2010

SUBJECT:
Vulnerabilities in Microsoft PowerPoint Could Allow Remote Code Execution (MS10-004)

OVERVIEW:

Six new vulnerabilities have been discovered in Microsoft PowerPoint, a program used for creating presentations. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by opening a specially crafted PowerPoint presentation (.PPT or .PPS file) received as an email attachment, or by visiting a web site that is hosting a specially crafted PowerPoint file. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain the same privileges as the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Microsoft Office XP
  • Microsoft Office 2003
  • Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government entities: High

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: High

Home users: High

DESCRIPTION:
Six new vulnerabilities have been identified in Microsoft PowerPoint that could allow remote code execution. The vulnerabilities can be exploited by opening a specially crafted PowerPoint presentation (.PPT or .PPS). These vulnerabilities can be exploited via an email attachment or through the Web. In the email based scenario, the user would have to open the specially crafted PowerPoint presentation as an email attachment. In the Web based scenario, a user would visit a website and then open the specially crafted PowerPoint presentation that is hosted on the page.

Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain the same privileges as the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

 RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply appropriate patches provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing.
  • Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
  • Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources.
  • Remind users not to open email attachments from unknown or un-trusted sources.
  • Consider using the Microsoft Office Isolated Conversion Environment (MOICE - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935865(New Window) ) to mitigate some of the vulnerabilities identified in this advisory.

REFERENCES:
Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS10-004.mspx(New Window)

CVE:
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-0029(New Window)
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-0030(New Window)
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-0031(New Window)
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-0032(New Window)
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-0033(New Window)
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-0034(New Window)

Security Focus:
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/38099(New Window)
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/38108(New Window)
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/38107(New Window)
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/38104(New Window)
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/38103(New Window)


This cyber advisory was issued by the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) and was intended for government entities. The information may or may not be applicable to the general public and accordingly, the MS-ISAC does not warrant its use for any specific purposes.