Critical vulnerability affecting Microsoft Excel

Fortinet announced that its leading security research team was key in discovering the latest Microsoft critical vulnerability, which impacts users of Microsoft Excel.

The vulnerability allows attackers to take over the affected system by using an .xls file sent through email or uploaded to a controlled web site. When the user opens the .xls file using Microsoft Excel, the vulnerability is executed.

Microsoft users should immediately apply the update provided by Microsoft on Jan. 9, 2007. Fortinet’s security research team was critical in discovering this vulnerability, as noted in the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-002.