CVE-2007-3282 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Microsoft Office MSODataSourceControl ActiveX object allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long argument to the DeleteRecordSourceIfUnused method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3282 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft Office's MSODataSourceControl ActiveX object that exposes systems to both remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the DeleteRecordSourceIfUnused method, which processes user-supplied arguments without adequate input validation or bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise affected systems. The flaw resides in the ActiveX control implementation within Microsoft Office applications, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through various attack vectors including malicious web pages, email attachments, or other malicious content that loads the vulnerable ActiveX component.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The MSODataSourceControl ActiveX object fails to properly validate the length of arguments passed to its DeleteRecordSourceIfUnused method, creating a scenario where a maliciously crafted argument can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, or more critically, arbitrary code execution when the overflowed memory contains executable instructions. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting a specially formatted argument that exceeds the buffer's allocated space, causing the stack to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data that can redirect program execution flow.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where Microsoft Office applications are commonly used, particularly in scenarios where users may encounter malicious content through email or web browsing activities. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain full system control, escalate privileges, and establish persistent access to compromised systems. The denial of service aspect further compounds the risk by allowing attackers to disrupt business operations through application crashes and system instability. According to ATT&CK framework category T1203, this vulnerability could be leveraged for process injection techniques, while T1059 indicates potential for command execution through the compromised system. Organizations running affected versions of Microsoft Office are particularly vulnerable as the ActiveX control is often automatically loaded when viewing certain document types or web content, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3282 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Microsoft Office installations through official security updates provided by Microsoft, as the vendor has released patches to address this specific buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement security configurations that disable ActiveX controls in web browsers and email clients where possible, reducing the attack surface for exploitation. Network-based mitigations include implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious ActiveX content. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted attachments or visiting suspicious websites that may contain malicious ActiveX controls. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unsigned or untrusted ActiveX components, and regularly monitor system logs for signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a critical security issue by Microsoft underscores the importance of immediate remediation measures to protect against potential exploitation.