CVE-2007-0352 in Help Workshop
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Help Workshop 4.03.0002 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .cnt file composed of lines that begin with an integer followed by a space and a long string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0352 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft Help Workshop 4.03.0002 software. This issue arises from insufficient input validation when processing .cnt files, which are used for organizing help content in Microsoft Help systems. The flaw specifically manifests when the application encounters a malformed .cnt file containing lines that begin with an integer followed by a space and an excessively long string. The buffer overflow occurs because the application fails to properly bounds-check the length of the string data, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that enables arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires user-assisted remote execution, meaning an attacker must convince a user to open a specially crafted .cnt file, typically through social engineering or by embedding it in malicious web content or email attachments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to completely compromise systems running vulnerable versions of Microsoft Help Workshop. The buffer overflow can be exploited to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack memory locations, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where help documentation systems are frequently updated and accessed by multiple users. The flaw demonstrates how legacy documentation tools can become security attack surfaces when they fail to implement proper input sanitization. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through client-side exploitation. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of systems, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0352 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening approaches. The primary recommendation is to immediately uninstall or disable Microsoft Help Workshop 4.03.0002 if it is not essential for business operations, as this version is no longer supported by Microsoft. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent users from opening .cnt files from untrusted sources, particularly in email systems and web browsers where such files might be encountered. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious .cnt files based on their structure and content patterns. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that all software components related to help documentation are kept up to date with the latest security patches, as this vulnerability demonstrates how outdated software components can provide persistent attack vectors. The incident also highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking in all software applications, particularly those that process user-supplied data, as recommended by security standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.