CVE-2003-0664 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word 2002, 2000, 97, and 98(J) does not properly check certain properties of a document, which allows attackers to bypass the macro security model and automatically execute arbitrary macros via a malicious document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2019
This vulnerability resides in Microsoft Word versions 2002, 2000, 97, and 98(J) where the application fails to properly validate document properties during the loading process. The flaw specifically affects the macro security model implementation, creating a bypass mechanism that allows malicious actors to circumvent intended security controls. When a specially crafted document is opened, the vulnerability enables automatic execution of malicious macros without proper user consent or security warnings. This represents a critical weakness in the application's defense-in-depth approach to macro execution control.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within Word's document parsing routines. When processing document properties, the software does not adequately verify the integrity or legitimacy of macro-related metadata, allowing attackers to manipulate these properties in ways that override default security settings. The flaw operates at the application layer where document loading and macro execution policies intersect, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through simple document delivery mechanisms such as email attachments or web downloads. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-170, which addresses improper input handling in security-sensitive contexts, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple macro execution, as it enables attackers to deploy more sophisticated attack chains. Once the initial macro execution is achieved, threat actors can leverage the compromised Word instance to download additional payloads, establish persistence mechanisms, or pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using legacy Word versions that may not receive security updates, creating extended attack surfaces where traditional security controls prove insufficient. This flaw particularly impacts enterprise environments where macro-enabled documents are commonly used for legitimate business purposes, making the attack vector more plausible and harder to detect.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through Microsoft security updates and patches, which address the underlying document property validation issues. Organizations must implement comprehensive macro security policies that disable macros by default and require explicit user approval for document-specific macro execution. Network-based controls such as email filtering and web proxy restrictions can help prevent initial delivery of malicious documents. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious document attachments and security awareness training should be enhanced to reduce successful exploitation rates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing layered security approaches that do not rely solely on a single defense mechanism, as highlighted in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's principle of defense in depth.