Advisory Details

August 11th, 2021

Microsoft Excel XLS File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

ZDI-21-969
ZDI-CAN-13508

CVE ID CVE-2021-34501
CVSS SCORE 8.8, AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AFFECTED VENDORS Microsoft
AFFECTED PRODUCTS Excel
VULNERABILITY DETAILS

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Excel. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the parsing of CONTINUEFRT12 records within XLS files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2021-34501
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2021-04-16 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2021-08-11 - Coordinated public release of advisory
CREDIT 14
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