CVE-2008-3019 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 an Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) file, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted EPS file, aka the "Malformed EPS Filter Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3019 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within Microsoft Office applications and the Office Converter Pack that specifically targets the parsing of Encapsulated PostScript file formats. This flaw exists in multiple versions including Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, 2003 SP2, and Works 8, making it a widespread issue affecting legacy office productivity software. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the EPS file processing code, where the application fails to properly validate the length field of EPS structures during file parsing operations. This improper handling creates a condition where maliciously crafted EPS files can trigger memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-on user.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Microsoft Office applications attempt to process or convert EPS files through the Office Converter Pack functionality. The flaw manifests as a classic buffer overflow scenario where the application allocates a fixed-size buffer to store EPS file data but does not validate that the incoming data length matches the allocated buffer size. When an attacker supplies an EPS file with a malformed length field that exceeds the expected buffer boundaries, the application's memory management system becomes corrupted, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the Office application process, effectively providing attackers with a remote code execution capability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where legacy Office applications remain in use, particularly in organizations that have not fully migrated to newer versions of Microsoft Office. The attack vector is primarily remote and can be delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing mechanisms where users inadvertently open malicious EPS files. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially compromise entire network infrastructures. Security researchers have classified this as a high-severity issue due to its remote exploitability and the widespread use of affected Office versions across enterprise environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that allows attackers to manipulate application memory structures.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can be mapped to several techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can leverage the code execution capability to run malicious payloads. Additionally, the vulnerability supports lateral movement tactics through T1021.002 for remote services and privilege escalation techniques through T1068 for local privilege escalation. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including network segmentation to limit access to Office applications, email filtering to block suspicious EPS attachments, and regular patch management to ensure all systems are updated with the latest security patches. The recommended mitigations include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates, disabling EPS file processing capabilities in Office applications, and implementing strict file type validation policies. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous Office application behavior and unusual file processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of Office applications on systems where EPS file processing is not required, thereby reducing the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with legacy software that may not receive continued security support from vendors.