CVE-2008-3018 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, and 2003 SP2; Office Converter Pack; and Works 8 do not properly parse the length of a PICT file, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PICT file, aka the "Malformed PICT Filter Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-3021.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3018 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple Microsoft Office products including Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, and 2003 SP2 along with the Office Converter Pack and Works 8 applications. This flaw manifests in the improper parsing of PICT file length parameters during file processing, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote code execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the PICT (Picture) file format parsing mechanism, which is used for storing graphics and images within Microsoft Office applications. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking when processing PICT file structures, allowing attackers to craft malicious files that trigger memory corruption during normal file handling operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user opens or previews a specially crafted PICT file within affected Microsoft Office applications. The malformed file contains oversized or improperly formatted length fields that cause the application's memory management routines to overflow, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of unsafe memory operations in legacy software systems. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can exploit it without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where users might inadvertently open malicious attachments or browse to compromised web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3018 extends beyond simple system compromise, as it can lead to complete system takeover and persistent access within affected networks. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Microsoft Office products that were widely deployed in enterprise environments, making it a significant threat vector. Organizations running these legacy applications face substantial risk since they represent a large attack surface that can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing mechanisms. The vulnerability's similarity to CVE-2008-3021 but distinct nature indicates a broader pattern of PICT file format parsing issues within Microsoft Office applications, suggesting systematic problems in how these legacy components handle graphics file structures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3018 should focus on immediate patch deployment and administrative controls to prevent exploitation. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches across all affected systems. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file type filtering in email systems and network appliances, disabling automatic preview of potentially malicious file types, and educating users about the risks of opening unknown or untrusted attachments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through remote access tools, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage. Network administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted PICT files and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.