Microsoft Office can't find your license for this application. A repair attempt was unsuccessful or was cancelled. Microsoft Office will now exit.

Products

• CAS-S500
• Malware Analysis

Issue/Introduction

1. How can the above operational deviation/error be eliminated or prevented?
   
   
2. Can this malfunction have an effect on the checking the complexity of the given file (i.e. does it check all elements, in this case, in the same way as in the case of a "successful" file opening)?

Environment

CASMA/MA

Cause

The error occurs because the sandboxed instance of Microsoft Office cannot verify the license, which is required for proper operation. In sandbox environments, software often runs in isolation from the regular network, making it difficult or impossible for certain applications to reach licensing servers or local activation services.

Resolution

The error you're encountering with Symantec CASMA, related to Microsoft Office exiting during sandbox testing due to a license issue, is relatively common in sandboxing environments where software licensing may be impacted by isolation. Here's a breakdown of the issue and potential solutions:

1. How to Eliminate or Prevent the Error:
   

   
   Solutions:

   • Check Network Access for Licensing:
     
     Ensure that the sandbox environment has access to the required licensing servers or that the network configuration permits Office to communicate with Microsoft's activation and licensing services. You may need to whitelist specific endpoints related to Office licensing in your sandbox environment to allow network traffic to those services.

   • Pre-Activate Office in the Sandbox Image:
     
     Consider pre-activating Microsoft Office before creating the sandbox image. If possible, use a volume license key (VLK) that does not require online verification for each session. This way, Office is activated when the sandbox environment is spun up and won’t need to reach out to activation services during testing.
     
     
   • Use Office 365 Online in the Sandbox:
     
     If available, consider using Office 365's online versions of applications. This could eliminate the need for local activation and reduce licensing issues, as the online versions are accessed via the browser and might not require sandbox isolation.
     
     
   • Review Virtual Machine Setup:
     
     Ensure that the iVM image used for sandboxing has a properly configured and activated instance of Office. Any deviation in the setup of the virtual machine (e.g., snapshotting before activation) could result in licensing failures within the sandbox.
     
     
   • Configure the Dirty Line Network
     
     A best-practice task for Content Analysis on-box sandboxing. The IntelliVM profiles use the dirty line network to access the internet during analysis. See the reference implementation guide in the Tech. Doc. with the URL below.
     
     Configure the Dirty Line Network
     
     The above implementation will be required if access to the Microsoft licensing servers would be required in Realtime, during the Office Sandbox test.
     
     
2. Impact on File Analysis and Complexity Checking:
   

   
   Effect on Checking Complexity:

   If Microsoft Office fails to open properly due to the licensing issue, this will definitely affect the ability of Symantec CASMA to thoroughly analyze the file. When Office is unable to run correctly, any elements that would require Office to open (such as embedded macros, scripts, or complex objects within Office files) may not be fully examined.

   • Incomplete File Scanning:
     
     The failure to open the Office document properly could result in incomplete analysis. For example, macros or embedded objects that require the application to be fully functional would not be scanned correctly, meaning that the sandbox might miss potential threats contained within these elements.
     
     
   • Recommended Approach:
     
     To ensure full and accurate scanning of Office files, it is crucial to resolve the licensing issue so that Office can open and execute the files as expected. This would allow the sandbox to inspect all elements of the file, including embedded content, scripts, and macros, providing a more thorough analysis.

In summary, fixing the Office licensing error is essential to ensure the sandbox's effectiveness in analyzing the full content of Office files. Failure to do so could result in partial or incomplete file analysis, leading to potential security risks.