CVE-2008-3004 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office Excel 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, and 2003 SP2 and SP3; Office Excel Viewer 2003; and Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac do not properly validate index values for AxesSet records when loading Excel files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel file, aka the "Excel Indexing Validation Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition in Microsoft Office Excel products that affects multiple versions across different platforms. The flaw occurs during the processing of Excel files when the software fails to properly validate index values within AxesSet records, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that should have been implemented to verify the integrity of structured data elements within Excel file formats. According to CWE-129, this represents an implementation weakness where the application fails to validate input data before using it in memory operations, specifically manifesting as improper validation of input boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious Excel file containing malformed AxesSet records with invalid index values that exceed allocated memory boundaries. When the vulnerable Excel application attempts to process these records, the improper validation allows the index values to cause memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through email attachments or web downloads, making it suitable for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system files, or escalate privileges within the compromised environment. Organizations using affected Office versions face significant risk as these products were widely deployed in enterprise environments, making the attack surface substantial. The vulnerability affects both Windows and Mac platforms, demonstrating the cross-platform nature of the flaw and requiring comprehensive security measures across different operating systems. Systems that process Excel files regularly, such as financial institutions, government agencies, and corporate environments, are particularly vulnerable to this type of attack.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected systems with Microsoft security updates, which address the underlying validation issues in Excel's file processing routines. Network segmentation and email filtering should be implemented to reduce the likelihood of malicious Excel files reaching end users, while application whitelisting can prevent execution of unauthorized Office applications. Security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected Excel attachments, and regular system monitoring should be employed to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for Excel file processing and maintaining up-to-date antivirus signatures that can detect known exploit patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in software development practices, particularly for applications that process structured data from untrusted sources, aligning with security standards that emphasize defense in depth and secure coding principles.