CVE-2007-1512 in Visual Studio
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the AfxOleSetEditMenu function in the MFC component in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2, and Server 2003 Gold and SP1, and Visual Studio .NET 2002 Gold and SP1, and 2003 Gold and SP1 allows user-assisted remote attackers to have an unknown impact (probably crash) via an RTF file with a malformed OLE object, which results in writing two 0x00 characters past the end of szBuffer, aka the "MFC42u.dll Off-by-Two Overflow." NOTE: this issue is due to an incomplete patch (MS07-012) for CVE-2007-0025.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1512 represents a stack-based buffer overflow affecting Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) components in multiple Windows operating systems and Visual Studio versions. This flaw specifically impacts the AfxOleSetEditMenu function within MFC42u.dll, which handles OLE object menu operations in rich text format processing. The vulnerability arises from improper bounds checking when processing malformed OLE objects embedded within RTF files, creating a condition where two null bytes are written past the end of the szBuffer variable. This issue is classified as a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed systems including Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 Gold and SP1, along with Visual Studio .NET 2002 and 2003 versions, making it a critical target for exploitation across enterprise environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the incomplete patch applied for CVE-2007-0025, creating what is known as a "patch gap" or "regression vulnerability." When an RTF file containing a malformed OLE object is processed, the AfxOleSetEditMenu function attempts to construct a menu string without adequate bounds checking, resulting in the off-by-two error where exactly two bytes beyond the allocated buffer boundary are written with null values. This specific memory corruption pattern typically leads to application instability and potential remote code execution depending on memory layout and exploitation conditions. The flaw operates through the Microsoft Windows Common Object Model (COM) and OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) frameworks, where RTF parsing routines interact with MFC components to handle embedded objects. This represents a classic example of the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter with potential for privilege escalation through application memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1512 extends beyond simple application crashes, potentially enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction through opening a malicious RTF file, making it a user-assisted remote attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0001 Initial Access. The affected systems are particularly vulnerable because the patch for CVE-2007-0025 was incomplete, leaving the underlying buffer overflow condition unaddressed. This creates a scenario where attackers can leverage the vulnerability to corrupt memory in a predictable manner, potentially leading to denial of service or more severe remote code execution outcomes. The vulnerability's presence in MFC42u.dll means that applications using Microsoft Foundation Classes are at risk, including numerous enterprise applications and development tools that rely on these components. The attack surface is significant given the widespread use of RTF files in email systems and document sharing environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in corporate networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1512 require immediate implementation of the security patches released by Microsoft as part of MS07-012, which address the incomplete patch issue and properly resolve the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement defensive measures such as email filtering rules that block RTF attachments from untrusted sources, disable OLE object processing in email clients, and deploy application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted RTF processing applications. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious RTF file handling activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that all affected Windows systems are updated with the complete security patches, as partial updates leave systems vulnerable to this regression vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to prevent service disruptions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable MFC42u.dll components. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious RTF file processing activities, as well as maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify emerging exploitation patterns targeting this vulnerability.