Microsoft JET Database Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Microsoft JET Database Engine that could allow remote code execution on an affected system. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take 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.

To exploit the vulnerability, a user must open or preview a specially crafted Excel file while using an affected version of Microsoft Windows. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially crafted Excel file to the user, and then convincing the user to open the file.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how the Microsoft JET Database Engine handles objects in memory.