CVE-2007-3034 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the AttemptWrite function in Graphics Rendering Engine (GDI) on Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2, and Server 2003 SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted metafile (image) with a large record length value, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3034 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) subsystem of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This issue specifically affects Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 2, and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, making it a significant concern for legacy systems that remained in production environments. The vulnerability resides in the AttemptWrite function of the Graphics Rendering Engine, which is responsible for processing graphics data within metafiles. Metafiles are container formats that store graphics instructions and can be embedded in various applications, making them a common attack vector for remote code execution exploits.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow condition that occurs when processing metafile record lengths. When a maliciously crafted metafile contains a record with an extremely large length value, the AttemptWrite function fails to properly validate this value before attempting to allocate memory for the buffer. This overflow causes the system to allocate insufficient memory space, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow condition where subsequent data writes can overwrite adjacent memory regions. The flaw is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow that can result in buffer overflow conditions, representing a fundamental weakness in input validation and memory management practices within the GDI subsystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring any authentication or user interaction. Attackers can craft malicious metafiles and deliver them through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing networks. Once executed, the exploit can allow attackers to gain full control of the affected system, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or use as a foothold for further network infiltration. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Windows systems are prevalent and often lack proper network segmentation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application as Microsoft released security updates to address the issue in the affected versions. Organizations should also implement network-based protections including firewall rules that restrict access to potentially vulnerable services and file type filtering that blocks metafile execution. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted file attachments and implementing least privilege access controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution through malicious file delivery and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive measures including endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify suspicious GDI function calls and memory allocation patterns.