CVE-2008-3005 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Array index vulnerability in Microsoft Office Excel 2000 SP3 and 2002 SP3, and Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an Excel file with a crafted array index for a FORMAT record, aka the "Excel Index Array Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2019
The CVE-2008-3005 vulnerability represents a critical array index error in Microsoft Office Excel versions 2000 SP3, 2002 SP3, and Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac systems. This flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the application processes a specially crafted FORMAT record within an Excel file. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking during the parsing of array indices in Excel's file format handling mechanisms. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through maliciously crafted Excel files delivered via email attachments, web downloads, or removable media, making it a prime target for social engineering attacks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-129 as an insufficient input validation issue, which directly relates to improper bounds checking of array indices. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Excel application. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a significant threat in enterprise environments where users frequently open spreadsheet files from untrusted sources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting an Excel file that contains a malformed FORMAT record with an invalid array index value that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries. When Excel attempts to process this malformed record, the application fails to properly validate the index bounds, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations. This memory corruption typically results in a stack overflow or heap overflow condition that can be manipulated to redirect execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Excel files are commonly used in business environments, making the attack surface extremely broad. The Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac versions are particularly susceptible due to similar memory handling patterns and the lack of modern exploit mitigations that were introduced in later Office versions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for Windows and T1059.008 for Mac systems, which covers the execution of malicious code through application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3005 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, persistence mechanisms being established, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running affected Office versions face significant risk of targeted attacks, especially in environments where Excel files are frequently shared or received from external sources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill from attackers, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with less sophisticated security awareness programs. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where legacy Office versions are still in use. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment for all affected Office versions, implementation of email filtering rules to block suspicious Excel attachments, and network segmentation to limit lateral movement capabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining systems running unsupported Office versions that may still be vulnerable to similar attacks. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing robust application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Office files.