CVE-2007-0515 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Word allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on Word 2000, and cause a denial of service on Word 2003, via unknown attack vectors that trigger memory corruption, as exploited by Trojan.Mdropper.W and later by Trojan.Mdropper.X, a different issue than CVE-2006-6456, CVE-2006-5994, and CVE-2006-6561.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
This vulnerability resides within Microsoft Word 2000 and 2003 applications, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified attack vectors that exploit memory handling mechanisms within the word processing software, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw specifically affects Word 2000 systems where remote attackers can achieve code execution, while Word 2003 systems experience denial of service conditions. This vulnerability was actively exploited by the Trojan.Mdropper.W malware family, which leveraged the memory corruption to gain unauthorized system access and execute malicious payloads. Subsequent exploitation by Trojan.Mdropper.X demonstrated the continued relevance and threat level of this vulnerability. The attack vectors involve manipulation of document content or processing routines that trigger memory corruption errors, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses classified under CWE-119, which encompasses weaknesses related to memory safety and buffer overflows. The flaw represents a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through improper input validation or handling of malformed data within the Microsoft Word application. Attackers typically exploit this by crafting malicious documents that, when opened by vulnerable Word versions, trigger memory corruption conditions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the document parsing and rendering components of Microsoft Word. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code and potentially gain full system control. The memory corruption occurs during document processing operations, particularly when handling specific file formats or embedded content that triggers unexpected behavior in the application's memory management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to affected systems. The exploitation of CVE-2007-0515 allows adversaries to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Word application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations running Microsoft Word 2000 and 2003 are particularly vulnerable to targeted attacks, as these older versions lack modern security protections and regular updates. The denial of service aspect in Word 2003 creates additional operational concerns, as it can disrupt business operations and productivity when targeted attacks occur. The vulnerability's exploitation by Trojan.Mdropper.W and Trojan.Mdropper.X demonstrates how these memory corruption flaws can be weaponized into sophisticated malware delivery mechanisms. These trojans typically spread through social engineering tactics, exploiting user trust in document attachments and office applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action through patch management and system hardening. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected systems. For systems where patching is not immediately feasible, administrators should implement application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted documents and applications. Network segmentation and email filtering can help prevent initial infection vectors through malicious document attachments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, making security awareness training crucial for preventing successful attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that detect unusual memory access patterns or application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The use of modern security frameworks and principles such as defense in depth can help reduce the overall attack surface and limit the impact of similar future vulnerabilities.