Word Macro Blocked

[Centauri22]

I'm trying to create a VB based word macro. Something I have not done in about 15+ years. Using a macro in word is about the simplest way to get this going. Malwarebytes seems to be blocking the macro/code. I've tested on a few different systems not all protected by the same software, to varying degrees of results. However, where I intend to use this code is on a system normally using Malwarebytes so I'd like to seek a resolution with that software first.

Here is the my message from Malwarebytes:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Protection Event Date: 12/9/20
Protection Event Time: 12:04 PM
Log File: 97b96690-3a40-11eb-a7c6-001583f9e730.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.2.3.96
Components Version: 1.0.1122
Update Package Version: 1.0.34125
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 10 (Build 19041.685)
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: System

-Exploit Details-
File: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Exploit: 1
Malware.Exploit.Agent.Generic, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\vbscript.dll, Blocked, 0, 392684, 0.0.0, A1E065682934982360869E862DF860BB, F04FD84E9B5170EB40068825F272A1225D71B70FC337B99226F538A006D51F33

-Exploit Data-
Affected Application: Microsoft Office Word
Protection Layer: Application Hardening
Protection Technique: Attempt to execute VBScript blocked
File Name: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\vbscript.dll
URL:

 

(end)



Word Macro debugging indicates Run-time error '70': Permission Denied
Line being blocked is: Set RE = New RegExp

[Malwarebytes]

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[Centauri22]

Logs and such.

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Porthos]

44 minutes ago, Centauri22 said:

Logs and such.

Open Malwarebytes and access settings by clicking the small gear icon in the upper right, then select the Security tab and scroll down to the Exploit Protection section then click the Advanced settings button and click the Restore Defaults button on the lower left, then click Apply and wait around 20 seconds for the protection to refresh, then test to see if  Office works.

After that I suggest updating to the new version.

 

[Centauri22]

Just checked I had the latest updates on MBAM, Word/Office and W10, everything was up to date. Checked the Exploit settings and forced reset settings in MBAM to no avail.

[exile360]

You'll most likely need to disable the option highlighted below:

VB scripting in MS Office is blocked by default by Exploit Protection.

[Centauri22]

Thanks, that makes it work. Not sure if I'm going to use that option long-term though. I'll have to look for alternate solutions to the problem I'm trying to solve with code.

 

[exile360]

Exploit Protection is pretty aggressive against scripting in office applications and browsers since those are by far some of the most common methods used for executing exploit attacks.  I'm no expert in Office macros so I can't offer much in the way of alternatives for accomplishing what you're seeking to do with VB, but I do know that Office is pretty powerful and flexible when it comes to macros and scripting so I'm sure there is likely some alternative out there that won't trigger a block in Malwarebytes.

You might check Microsoft's forums to see what others have done and perhaps post to seek out advice from others who are familiar with it unless you just want to dig in on your own to see what you can come up with.

[Centauri22]

Thanks, I think that is the exact path I'm going to take, I just wanted to stop by here and see if I could get it going without significant levels of effort.   I figured I'd end up turning some functionality of MBAM off, and well there are many reasons I have not tried to use programmatic macros in 15+ years. Sure it will work, and it is quicker to get going, but at what potential cost if I have to reduce saftey levels? Also, desired result could be achieved manually, it is just a bother to do so, which is why there were macros in the first place.

[exile360]

You're welcome.  Yes, I'm not generally a fan of reducing protection either.  I hope you're able to quickly find a reasonable solution.

If there's anything else we might help with please let us know.

Thanks