Microsoft Word/Excel 98 Field Code information disclosure

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Microsoft Word and Excel 98. Affected is an unknown function of the component Field Code Handler. The manipulation leads to information disclosure. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2002-1143. Moreover, an exploit is present.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Word and Excel 98 (Word Processing Software) and classified as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Field Code Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a information disclosure vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-200. The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information. Impacted is confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

Microsoft Word and Excel allow remote attackers to steal sensitive information via certain field codes that insert the information when the document is returned to the attacker, as demonstrated in Word using (1) INCLUDETEXT or (2) INCLUDEPICTURE, aka "Flaw in Word Fields and Excel External Updates Could Lead to Information Disclosure."

The weakness was disclosed 04/11/2003 by Alex as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). It is possible to read the advisory at kb.cert.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2002-1143 since 09/23/2002. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1592 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

The exploit is available at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (10155), Exploit-DB (21812), SecurityFocus (BID 5586†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-3120†). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.0

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Information disclosure
CWE: CWE-200 / CWE-284 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/26/2002 🔍
08/26/2002 +0 days 🔍
09/23/2002 +28 days 🔍
04/11/2003 +200 days 🔍
04/11/2003 +0 days 🔍
12/09/2003 +242 days 🔍
08/08/2014 +3895 days 🔍
06/25/2025 +3974 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Researcher: Alex
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2002-1143 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2002-1143
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20327

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 10155
SecurityFocus: 5586 - Microsoft Word / Excel INCLUDETEXT Document Sharing File Disclosure Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 3120 - [MS02-059] Microsoft Word and Excel Information Leakage, Medium

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 08/08/2014 12:42
Updated: 06/25/2025 12:53
Changes: 08/08/2014 12:42 (61), 05/17/2019 18:39 (1), 12/31/2024 01:38 (17), 06/25/2025 12:53 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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