CVE-2007-3490 in Excel
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Excel 2003 SP2 allows remote attackers to have an unknown impact via unspecified vectors, possibly related to the sheet name, as demonstrated by 2670.xls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3490 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Excel 2003 Service Pack 2 that exposes the application to remote exploitation through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability specifically manifests when processing certain Excel spreadsheet files, with the 2670.xls demonstration file serving as a proof of concept that illustrates how maliciously crafted spreadsheet data can trigger the vulnerability. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, potentially encompassing various file parsing mechanisms within the Excel application.
The technical foundation of this vulnerability lies in how Excel 2003 SP2 processes and interprets spreadsheet metadata, particularly concerning sheet name handling within workbook structures. When a user opens a maliciously crafted Excel file, the application's parsing routines encounter malformed or specially constructed sheet name data that causes unexpected behavior in the application's memory management or execution flow. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of memory corruption issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open spreadsheet files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in spreadsheet parsing engines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or application crashes, potentially enabling attackers to execute malicious code on affected systems with the privileges of the user who opened the compromised spreadsheet. This remote code execution capability allows adversaries to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads within the target environment. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when files are shared through collaborative platforms. Organizations utilizing Excel 2003 SP2 in their environments face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability affects a widely deployed application that remains in use across many enterprise systems despite being outdated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3490 should focus on immediate remediation through Microsoft security updates and patches, though given the age of Excel 2003, such patches may no longer be available through standard Microsoft support channels. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, including content scanning and sandboxing of spreadsheet files before opening them, particularly when they originate from external sources or untrusted parties. Network-level controls such as email filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent the delivery of malicious Excel files to end users. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1204.002, which covers 'User Execution: Malicious File', and organizations should consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of accidental exploitation through social engineering attacks. Long-term solutions require migrating away from unsupported software versions and implementing more secure document handling practices that minimize exposure to legacy vulnerabilities.