Vulnerability Note VU#361968

Microsoft XML Core Services XMLDOM substringData() buffer overflow

Original Release date: 14 Aug 2007 | Last revised: 15 Aug 2007

Overview

Microsoft XML Core Services contains an unspecified memory corruption vulnerability, which may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.

Description

Microsoft XML Core Services (MSXML) allow developers who use JScript, Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript), and Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 to create XML-based applications. MSXML includes several ActiveX controls to allow XML support in Internet Explorer and other applications.

The MSXML XMLDOM object contains a buffer overflow vulnerability in the substringData() method.

Impact

By convincing a user to view a specially crafted HTML document (e.g., a web page or an HTML email message or attachment), an attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.

Solution

Apply an update
This issue is addressed by Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-042. This update provides updated versions of MSXML.


Disable ActiveX and Active Scripting

Disabling ActiveX controls and Active Scripting in the Internet Zone (or any zone used by an attacker) appears to prevent exploitation of this and other ActiveX vulnerabilities. Instructions for disabling ActiveX in the Internet Zone can be found in the "Securing Your Web Browser" document. 

Systems Affected (Learn More)

VendorStatusDate NotifiedDate Updated
Microsoft CorporationAffected-14 Aug 2007
If you are a vendor and your product is affected, let us know.

CVSS Metrics (Learn More)

Group Score Vector
Base N/A N/A
Temporal N/A N/A
Environmental N/A N/A

References

Credit

Thanks to Microsft for reporting this vulnerability, who in turn credit anonymous researchers working with Verisign iDefense VCP and Zero Day Initiative.

This document was written by Will Dormann.

Other Information

  • CVE IDs: CVE-2007-2223
  • Date Public: 14 Aug 2007
  • Date First Published: 14 Aug 2007
  • Date Last Updated: 15 Aug 2007
  • Severity Metric: 24.10
  • Document Revision: 8

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