CVE-2011-0978

Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP2; Office 2004 for Mac; Excel Viewer SP2; and Office Compatibility Pack for Word…

published February 10, 2011

CVSS
—
EPSS
43%
Percentile
98.7
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A sneaky stack-based buffer overflow lurks in Microsoft Excel! This bug allows attackers to execute arbitrary code just by manipulating axis properties — it's like someone sneaking a fast pass into the fun park without a ticket! 🎢 Imagine a chaotic concert where the stage manager gives out a limited number of wristbands, but there's no limit on how many people can claim them. This mismanagement leads to an overcrowded stage, where too many people vying for attention can push the whole system to fail. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to run any code they choose on your system, which is absolutely devastating! This means they could potentially access sensitive information, corrupt files, or even take full control of the affected system. Keep your spreadsheets safe!

Put simply

Imagine a chaotic concert where the stage manager gives out a limited number of wristbands, but there's no limit on how many people can claim them. This mismanagement leads to an overcrowded stage, where too many people vying for attention can push the whole system to fail. The Excel Array Indexing Vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow that occurs due to improper incrementing of an array index in certain versions of Microsoft Excel, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code via specially crafted Excel files.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to run any code they choose on your system, which is absolutely devastating! This means they could potentially access sensitive information, corrupt files, or even take full control of the affected system. Keep your spreadsheets safe! To protect yourself, ensure you're using the latest updates and patches for Microsoft Excel and related applications. Consider disabling macros and avoid opening suspicious files from untrusted sources. Regularly audit your software to catch any vulnerabilities early! This is manageable! Stay vigilant, follow the steps, and you'll keep Excel secure and functional! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.42562 · 98.7th percentile
Published
2011-02-10T18:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 10 FEB 18:00Z
    Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP2; Office 2004 for Mac; Excel Viewer SP2; and Office Compatibility Pack for Word…
    cvelistv5