CVE-2007-0208 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word in Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, Office 2003 SP2, Works Suite 2004 to 2006, and Office 2004 for Mac does not correctly check the properties of certain documents and warn the user of macro content, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2019
This vulnerability resides in Microsoft Word's document parsing and macro security mechanisms, specifically affecting multiple versions of the Office suite including Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, Office 2003 SP2, Works Suite 2004-2006, and Office 2004 for Mac. The core issue stems from inadequate validation of document properties during the loading process, particularly concerning macro content detection and user warnings. This flaw represents a classic security bypass where the application fails to properly identify potentially malicious macro code embedded within seemingly benign documents. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and aligns with CWE-170, which addresses improper handling of input that could lead to security issues. From an operational perspective, this represents a significant risk because it enables user-assisted remote code execution, meaning attackers can craft malicious documents that appear legitimate to users. The attack typically requires user interaction such as opening the document, but once opened, the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves Word's document property checking mechanism failing to properly validate macro-related attributes within document headers or metadata structures. When a document is loaded, the application should perform comprehensive checks on macro content and present appropriate security warnings to users. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate document properties in such a way that these security checks are bypassed or rendered ineffective. This specific weakness falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through application-specific vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or removable media. The lack of proper property validation creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious macros that can execute without proper user awareness or consent.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0208 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Microsoft Office products, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking maximum impact with minimal effort. Organizations running these older versions of Office are especially vulnerable since they lack the security improvements introduced in later updates. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that social engineering plays a critical role in exploitation success, as users must be convinced to open the malicious document. This makes the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against, as it requires both technical security controls and user education to provide comprehensive protection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on multiple defensive layers including immediate patching of affected Office versions, implementation of macro security policies, and enhanced user awareness training. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability, but organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting solutions to prevent unauthorized macro execution. Network-level controls such as email filtering and web content filtering can help prevent delivery of malicious documents. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing proper security configuration management. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate similar issues across the enterprise. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specific to macro-based attacks.