CVE-2008-1090 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Visio 2002 SP2, 2003 SP2 and SP3, and 2007 up to SP1 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .DXF file, aka "Visio Memory Validation Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1090 represents a critical memory validation flaw within Microsoft Visio software versions spanning 2002 SP2 through 2007 SP1. This issue manifests as an unspecified weakness in the software's handling of .DXF file formats, which are commonly used for computer-aided design data exchange. The vulnerability enables malicious actors to craft specially formatted .DXF files that, when opened by an affected Visio version, can trigger arbitrary code execution on the target system. The attack requires user interaction, meaning an end user must intentionally open the malicious file for the exploit to succeed, placing this vulnerability in the user-assisted remote attack category.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within Visio's parsing routines for .DXF files. When the software processes these maliciously constructed files, it fails to properly validate memory boundaries and buffer limits, leading to potential memory corruption that can be exploited to execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors. The flaw exists in the software's file parsing engine where insufficient bounds checking occurs during the processing of .DXF file structures, particularly in how the application handles embedded data and metadata within these design files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain the ability to install malware, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The user-assisted nature of the attack does not significantly reduce the risk, as social engineering techniques can easily convince users to open malicious files, particularly in professional environments where Visio is commonly used for design and collaboration. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that frequently exchange design files or have users who regularly open external .DXF files from untrusted sources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates and patches released in response to this vulnerability. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of Visio applications unless absolutely necessary, and establish strict file validation procedures for .DXF files received from external sources. Network segmentation and monitoring can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted files remains crucial. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to the principle of least privilege, ensuring that Visio applications run with minimal required permissions to limit potential damage from successful exploits. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious file content before it reaches the user, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how file format parsing errors can be weaponized in targeted attacks. This issue demonstrates the critical need for robust input validation in all software applications, particularly those handling external data formats, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through document macros and file format vulnerabilities.