Microsoft Word does not check for macros contained in linked template file when opening RTF document

Overview

There is a vulnerability caused by a failure to detect macros embedded in templates used by rich text format documents opened in Microsoft Word. This vulnerability may allow the author of a malicious document to execute arbitrary commands as the user who opens the document.

Description

Microsoft Word versions including Word 2000, Word 97, Word 98J, Word 98 for Macintosh and Word 2001 for Macintosh have a vulnerability involving the detection of macros. Macros embedded in templates referenced by rich text format documents are not properly detected by Microsoft Word, even though they will execute when the document is opened. This vulnerability was originally believed not to affect Microsoft Word 2002, but VU#295867 describes a more general form of this vulnerability that affects that version as well.

In Office 2000 and later, there are three possible settings for the macro security. The macro executes even if the user’s macro security setting is “High”, which would normally prevent execution. If the user’s macro security setting is “Medium”, the user will fail to receive a warning dialog as expected before the macro executes. The “Low” macro security setting is not recommended, and would normally allow the execution of macros. In earlier versions of Office, the security settings may differ.

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Impact

The author of a malicious document may be able to execute aribtrary commands as the user who opens the document.

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Solution

Apply a Patch

Microsoft has published patches correcting this vulnerability. The patches are listed in their advisory at:

<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-028.asp&gt;

This vulnerability is closely related to VU#295867, which is described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-034:

<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-034.asp&gt;

VU#295867 involves the failure to detect macros embedded in Word documents in general. Users that are vulnerable to this problem may wish to review the newer bulletin and apply the patches referenced there.

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Vendor Information

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Updated: September 26, 2002

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

Microsoft has published a security bulletin describing this vulnerability at:

<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-028.asp&gt;

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23345576 Feedback>).

CVSS Metrics

Group	Score	Vector
Base
Temporal
Environmental

References

• <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS01-028.asp&gt;
• <http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2753&gt;

Acknowledgements

This document was written Cory F. Cohen.

Other Information

CVE IDs:	CVE-2001-0240
Severity Metric:	10.24 Date Public: