CVE-2002-0616 in Excel
Summary
by MITRE
The Macro Security Model in Microsoft Excel 2000 and 2002 for Windows allows remote attackers to execute code by attaching an inline macro to an object within an Excel workbook, aka the "Excel Inline Macros Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2019
The CVE-2002-0616 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Excel 2000 and 2002 for Windows operating systems that fundamentally undermines the application's macro security model. This vulnerability specifically targets the way Excel handles inline macros within object containers, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw exists within the application's object model processing mechanism where embedded macros can be triggered without proper user consent or security validation, effectively bypassing the intended security controls designed to prevent unauthorized macro execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from Microsoft's implementation of the macro security model which should have prevented automatic execution of macros when opening Excel workbooks. However, the flaw allows attackers to embed malicious code within objects such as charts, shapes, or other embedded elements within the workbook. When these objects are processed by Excel, the inline macro executes automatically without requiring user interaction or explicit confirmation, creating an attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit from anywhere on the internet. This represents a classic bypass of the principle of least privilege in security design, where the application fails to properly validate macro content within embedded objects.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise environments where Excel workbooks are frequently shared and opened by multiple users. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by sending malicious Excel files via email, file sharing systems, or web downloads without requiring any special access or privileges. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but entire organizations since a single compromised workbook can lead to widespread code execution across multiple systems. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed through normal business processes such as document sharing, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional security measures.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling macro execution in Excel, implementing strict file validation policies, and deploying network-level protections such as email filtering and web proxy controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and demonstrates how embedded code execution can be achieved through object model manipulation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.005 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic" and T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution" as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through legitimate software applications. Security professionals should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict Excel from executing macros unless they originate from trusted sources, and establish regular patch management processes to address such vulnerabilities promptly.