CVE-2007-0035 in Works
Summary
by MITRE
Word (or Word Viewer) in Microsoft Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, 2003 SP2, 2004 for Mac, and Works Suite 2004, 2005, and 2006 does not properly handle data in a certain array, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, aka the "Word Array Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2025
The CVE-2007-0035 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Microsoft Word and Word Viewer applications across multiple versions of the Office suite. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the affected software processes certain array data structures within word processing documents, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overflow allocated memory buffers. The flaw exists in the way these applications handle array indexing and memory allocation during document parsing operations, particularly when processing malformed or specially crafted Word documents. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users open malicious documents, making it a prime target for targeted attacks in corporate environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of array data structures within Microsoft Word's document processing engine. When the application encounters a document containing specially crafted array data, it fails to validate the size or bounds of the array elements before attempting to store data into memory locations. This allows an attacker to construct a malicious document that, when opened by an affected version of Word, triggers a buffer overflow condition. The overflow can overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses on the stack, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through legitimate document opening operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network-based security measures. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of application vulnerabilities through user interaction.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0035 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass significant security risks for organizations using affected Microsoft Office versions. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Microsoft Office products including Office 2000 through 2004 for Mac, as well as Works Suite versions 2004-2006, representing a substantial portion of legacy systems still in use within enterprise environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors through the execution of malicious code. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that social engineering remains a critical component of exploitation, as users must open the malicious document for the attack to succeed. Organizations with outdated Office installations face particular risk, as these legacy versions may not receive security updates or patches, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges of maintaining security in enterprise environments where legacy software continues to operate alongside modern security controls. The attack surface is particularly large given that Word documents are commonly shared through email, file transfers, and collaboration platforms, making this vulnerability a significant threat vector for targeted attacks.