CVE-2007-1754 in Office Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
PUBCONV.DLL in Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 does not properly clear memory when transferring data from disk to memory, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed .pub page via a certain negative value, which bypasses a sanitization procedure that initializes critical pointers to NULL, aka the "Publisher Invalid Memory Reference Vulnerability".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The CVE-2007-1754 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Office Publisher 2007's PUBCONV.DLL component that demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition through improper memory management. This vulnerability exists within the data conversion process that handles .pub file formats, specifically when the application attempts to transfer data from disk storage to memory structures without adequate validation of input parameters. The flaw manifests when processing malformed Publisher files that contain negative values in critical data structures, causing the application to improperly handle memory allocation and initialization procedures.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the PUBCONV.DLL library, which fails to properly sanitize memory references during data transfer operations. When a maliciously crafted .pub file contains negative values that exceed expected parameter ranges, the sanitization procedure that should initialize critical pointers to NULL fails to properly validate these inputs. This allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is classified as a memory safety issue that aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" categories, demonstrating how improper memory boundary checks can lead to privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through user-assisted remote exploitation, meaning they need to convince a target to open a maliciously crafted Publisher file, typically delivered via email attachments or compromised websites. Once executed, the malicious code can perform actions such as installing backdoors, modifying system files, or accessing sensitive data stored within the compromised environment. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 is deployed, as it represents a significant attack surface that could lead to broader network infiltration.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patch deployment from Microsoft as part of their regular security maintenance procedures. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Publisher files from untrusted sources, while network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious file transfer patterns. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005: "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic" and T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" which emphasizes the importance of application security controls and user education to prevent exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify legacy applications that may contain similar memory management flaws, particularly in environments where older Microsoft Office versions remain in use.