CVE-2007-0427 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 help project (.HPJ) file with a long HLP field in the OPTIONS section.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0427 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft Help Workshop version 4.03.0002. This software component serves as a development tool for creating help files and documentation systems, making it a legitimate application used across various Microsoft development environments. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing help project files with extension .HPJ which contain an excessively long HLP field within the OPTIONS section of the file structure. The buffer overflow occurs because the application fails to properly validate the length of data read from the HLP field, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. The attack vector requires user-assisted remote execution, meaning that an attacker must convince a user to open a specially crafted malicious .HPJ file through the Help Workshop application. The vulnerability's exploitation potential stems from the fact that Help Workshop is a legitimate Microsoft application that may be present on development systems and end-user machines, providing a ready environment for attack execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it can enable attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. When the buffer overflow occurs during processing of the malformed HLP field, it allows attackers to overwrite return addresses and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Help Workshop. This represents a significant security risk in development environments where users may be less cautious about opening files from untrusted sources, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems running Microsoft Help Workshop 4.03.0002 and potentially other versions within the same product line.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0427 should include immediate patching through Microsoft security updates, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent security releases. Organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of Help Workshop to trusted environments only, and conduct regular security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of the software. Network segmentation and user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted files can provide additional defense layers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through legitimate user applications and privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement once initial compromise occurs. System administrators should also consider monitoring for unusual Help Workshop execution patterns and file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.