CVE-2002-1143 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word and Excel allow remote attackers to steal sensitive information via certain field codes that insert the information when the document is returned to the attacker, as demonstrated in Word using (1) INCLUDETEXT or (2) INCLUDEPICTURE, aka "Flaw in Word Fields and Excel External Updates Could Lead to Information Disclosure."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Microsoft Word and Excel applications that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data through maliciously crafted field codes. The vulnerability specifically affects the way these Microsoft Office applications handle external data references when processing documents, creating a pathway for attackers to harvest confidential information from vulnerable systems. The flaw manifests through two primary field codes: INCLUDETEXT and INCLUDEPICTURE, which are designed to insert external content into documents but can be exploited to retrieve data from remote locations. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and demonstrates how field processing mechanisms can become attack vectors for data exfiltration. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as attackers can leverage these field codes to access system resources, user credentials, or corporate data stored on network drives or remote servers.
The technical exploitation occurs when a victim opens a malicious document containing these specially crafted field codes, which then automatically attempt to fetch data from attacker-controlled sources. The INCLUDETEXT field code specifically allows insertion of text content from external files, while INCLUDEPICTURE enables embedding of image data from remote locations. When these fields are processed, they can trigger network connections to attacker-controlled servers, potentially retrieving sensitive files, system information, or user data. This behavior represents a significant deviation from normal document processing expectations and demonstrates how legitimate application features can be weaponized for malicious purposes. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains, particularly affecting information security, data protection, and access control mechanisms. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, potential credential theft, and exposure of sensitive business information when users inadvertently open compromised documents. This vulnerability can be particularly devastating in targeted attacks where attackers craft documents designed to exploit specific user roles or system configurations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. The threat landscape for this vulnerability includes both automated malware distribution and sophisticated targeted attacks, making it a persistent concern for security teams. Attackers can leverage this flaw in conjunction with other techniques to create comprehensive attack chains, potentially using the retrieved information to launch further exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on multiple defensive layers including user education, application hardening, and network monitoring. Organizations should implement strict document handling policies that restrict opening documents from untrusted sources and disable automatic field updates in Office applications. The recommended approach includes configuring Office applications to prompt users before downloading external content, disabling the problematic INCLUDETEXT and INCLUDEPICTURE field codes, and implementing network-level controls to block connections to known malicious domains. Security teams should also consider deploying email filtering solutions that can identify and quarantine documents containing these field codes, along with monitoring network traffic for suspicious outbound connections. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining updated security configurations and demonstrates how legacy application features can pose ongoing risks in modern threat environments. The remediation process should align with established security frameworks and include regular security assessments to ensure proper implementation of protective measures.