CVE-2007-0675 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
A certain ActiveX control in sapi.dll (aka the Speech API) in Speech Components in Microsoft Windows Vista, when the Speech Recognition feature is enabled, allows user-assisted remote attackers to delete arbitrary files, and conduct other unauthorized activities, via a web page with an embedded sound object that contains voice commands to an enabled microphone, allowing for interaction with Windows Explorer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0675 represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft Windows Vista's Speech API components, specifically affecting the sapi.dll ActiveX control. This vulnerability exploits the interaction between speech recognition features and web-based audio content, creating a dangerous attack surface that enables remote code execution through seemingly benign web page interactions. The flaw exists in the speech components that handle voice commands and microphone input, particularly when the Speech Recognition feature is enabled on the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the Speech API's ActiveX control. When a web page containing an embedded sound object with voice commands is loaded, the malicious code can trigger the speech recognition system to interact with the Windows Explorer process through the microphone input. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands that can delete files, modify system components, and perform other unauthorized activities. The vulnerability specifically leverages the trust relationship between the speech recognition subsystem and system processes, bypassing normal security boundaries that should prevent such cross-component exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-0675 extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it enables full system compromise through user-assisted remote attacks. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when visited by an unsuspecting user with speech recognition enabled, automatically execute commands that manipulate the file system and potentially escalate privileges. This vulnerability particularly affects Windows Vista systems where speech recognition features are actively enabled, making it a significant threat vector for social engineering attacks that combine web-based delivery with local system exploitation. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on disabling unnecessary speech recognition features, implementing proper web content filtering, and maintaining updated security patches from Microsoft. Organizations should consider disabling the problematic ActiveX control through group policy settings or browser security configurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage through Windows Script Host. System administrators should also implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious voice command patterns and ensure that users are educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites with speech recognition enabled.