VUPEN Security Research - Microsoft Office Publisher Memory Corruption 
Vulnerability (VUPEN-SR-2010-041)

http://www.vupen.com/english/research.php


I. BACKGROUND
---------------------

"Microsoft Publisher, is a desktop publishing application from Microsoft. It 
is
an entry-level application, differing from Microsoft Word in that the 
emphasis
is placed on page layout and design rather than text composition and 
proofing."
from wikipedia.org


II. DESCRIPTION
---------------------

VUPEN Vulnerability Research Team discovered a critical vulnerability
in Microsoft Office Publisher.

The vulnerability is caused by a memory corruption error when handling 
malformed
Publisher documents, which could be exploited by remote attackers to execute
arbitrary code by tricking a user into opening a malicious PUB file.

Note: The Publisher file format is not publicly documented.


III. AFFECTED PRODUCTS
---------------------------

Microsoft Publisher 2010 (32-bit editions)
Microsoft Publisher 2010 (64-bit editions)
Microsoft Publisher 2003 Service Pack 3
Microsoft Publisher 2002 Service Pack 3


IV. Binary Analysis & Exploits/PoCs
---------------------------------------

In-depth binary analysis of the vulnerability and a code execution exploit
or proof-of-concept are available through the VUPEN Binary Analysis &
Exploits Service :

http://www.vupen.com/english/services/ba-index.php


V. VUPEN Threat Protection Program
-----------------------------------

Organizations and corporations which are members of the VUPEN Threat
Protection Program (TPP) have been alerted about the vulnerability when it
was discovered by VUPEN, and have received a detailed detection guidance
to proactively protect national and critical infrastructures against
potential attacks exploiting this vulnerability:

http://www.vupen.com/english/services/tpp-index.php


VI. SOLUTION
----------------

Apply MS10-103 security updates.


VII. CREDIT
--------------

This vulnerability was discovered by Chaouki Bekrar of VUPEN Security


VIII. ABOUT VUPEN Security
---------------------------

VUPEN is a leading IT security research company providing vulnerability
management and security intelligence solutions which enable enterprises
and institutions to eliminate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited,
ensure security policy compliance and meaningfully measure and manage risks.

Governmental and federal agencies, and global enterprises in the financial
services, insurance, manufacturing and technology industries rely on VUPEN
to improve their security, prioritize resources, cut time and costs, and
stay ahead of the latest threats.

* VUPEN Vulnerability Notification Service (VNS) :
http://www.vupen.com/english/services/vns-index.php

* VUPEN Binary Analysis & Exploits Service (BAE) :
http://www.vupen.com/english/services/ba-index.php

* VUPEN Threat Protection Program for Govs (TPP) :
http://www.vupen.com/english/services/tpp-index.php

* VUPEN Web Application Security Scanner (WASS) :
http://www.vupen.com/english/services/wass-index.php


IX. REFERENCES
----------------------

http://www.vupen.com/english/research-vuln.php
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms10-103.mspx
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2010-3954


X. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
-----------------------------

2010-03-18 - Vendor notified
2010-03-18 - Vendor response
2010-12-08 - Status update received
2010-12-14 - Coordinated disclosure