Australia's National Computer Emergency Response Team

AL-2008.0021 -- [Win] -- MS08-012 - Critical - Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Publisher Could Allow Remote Code Execution
Date: 13 February 2008
Original URL: http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?cid=21&it=8795
AusCERT Reference #: AL-2008.0021

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A  U  S  C  E  R  T                                           A  L  E  R  T

                       AL-2008.0021 -- AUSCERT ALERT
                                   [Win]
         MS08-012 - Critical - Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office
                Publisher Could Allow Remote Code Execution
                             13 February 2008

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        AusCERT Alert Summary
        ---------------------

Product:              Microsoft Office 2000
                      Microsoft Office XP
                      Microsoft Office 2003
Publisher:            Microsoft
Operating System:     Windows
Impact:               Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access:               Remote/Unauthenticated
CVE Names:            CVE-2008-0102

Original Bulletin:  
  http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-012.mspx

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MS08-012 - Critical - Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Publisher Could
Allow Remote Code Execution (947085)

   Published: February 12, 2008
   Version: 1.0

   This critical security update resolves two privately reported
   vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Publisher that could allow remote
   code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Publisher file. An
   attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could take
   complete control of an 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.


Affected Software

   o Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3 - Microsoft Office Publisher
     2000

   o Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3 - Microsoft Office Publisher 2002

   o Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2 - Microsoft Office Publisher
     2003 Service Pack 2


Vulnerability Information

Publisher Invalid Memory Reference Vulnerability - CVE-2008-0102

   A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the way Microsoft Office
   Publisher validates application data when loading Publisher files to
   memory. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a
   specially crafted Publisher (.pub) file. When a user views the .pub
   file, the vulnerability could allow remote code execution. An attacker
   who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete
   control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs;
   view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user
   rights.

Workarounds for Publisher Invalid Memory Reference Vulnerability -
CVE-2008-0102

   o Do not open or save Microsoft Office files that you receive from
     untrusted sources or that you receive unexpectedly from trusted
     sources.  This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a
     specially crafted file.


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===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072

Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile:      (07) 3365 7031
Telephone:      (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
                AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours
                which are GMT+10:00 (AEST).
                On call after hours for member emergencies only.
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