Computer Terrorism (UK) :: Incident Response Centre - Microsoft Outlook Vulnerability
Computer Terrorism (UK) :: Incident Response Centre
www.computerterrorism.com
Security Advisory: CT09-01-2007
=======================================================
Microsoft Outlook Advanced Find - Remote Code Execution
=======================================================
Advisory Date: 11th January 2007
Severity: Critical
Impact: Remote System Access
Solution Status: Vendor Patch
CVE Reference: CVE-2007-0034
Affected Software
=================
Microsoft Outlook 2000
Microsoft Outlook 2002
Microsoft Outlook 2003
1. OVERVIEW
===========
Microsoft Outlook is a popular personal communication manager that
provides end users with a unified place to manage e-mail, calendar
and contact information.
As part of its standard offering, Outlook also includes an Advanced
Search facility (Finder.exe) enabling end-users to query any aspect
of their repository information.
Unfortunately, it transpires that Outlook/Finder is susceptible to
a remote Buffer overflow vulnerability, when processing the contents
of a specially crafted Office Saved Search (.oss) file.
2. TECHNICAL NARRATIVE
======================
The issue in question stems from a simple oversight in the design of
an intrinsic string manipulation function, which attempts to copy
1024 bytes of user supplied Unicode content, to a pre-allocated buffer
of only 512 bytes (even though sufficient length checks are invoked).
As the destination buffer is unable to accommodate the additional data,
the net result is that of a classic stack overflow condition, in which
Instruction Pointer (EIP) control is gained via one of several
available return addresses.
3. EXPLOITATION
===============
As with most file parsing vulnerabilities, the aforementioned issue
will require a certain degree of social engineering to achieve successful
exploitation.
However, Office Saved Searches (.oss) file types share very similar
display characteristics to that of harmless looking e-mail icons.
As such, end-users could be fooled into thinking the attachment is
a non-threatening mail forward.
4. VENDOR RESPONSE
==================
The vendor security bulletin and corresponding patches are available
at the following location:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS07-003.mspx
5. DISCLOSURE ANALYSIS
======================
12/05/2006 Preliminary Vendor notification.
24/05/2006 Vulnerability confirmed by Vendor
16/10/2006 Public Disclosure Deferred by Vendor
09/01/2007 Public release.
Total Time to Fix: 7 months 29 Days (243 days in total)
6. CREDIT
=========
The vulnerability was discovered by Stuart Pearson of Computer Terrorism
========================
About Computer Terrorism
========================
Computer Terrorism (UK) Ltd is a global provider of Digital Risk
Intelligence services. Our unique approach to vulnerability risk
assessment and mitigation has helped protect some of the worlds
most at risk organisations.
Headquartered in London, Computer Terrorism has representation throughout
Europe & North America and can be reached at +44 (0) 870 250 9866 or email:-
sales [at] computerterrorism.com
To learn more about our services or to register for a FREE comprehensive
website penetration test, visit: http:/www.computerterrorism.com
Computer Terrorism (UK) :: Protection for a vulnerable world.