CVE-2009-0096 in Visio
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office Visio 2002 SP2, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1 does not properly perform memory copy operations for object data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Visio document, aka "Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Office Visio versions 2002 SP2, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1 that stems from improper memory copy operations during object data processing. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking during memory operations allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw specifically manifests when Visio processes maliciously crafted documents containing specially constructed object data that triggers buffer overflow conditions during memory copy operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way Visio handles object data structures within Visio files, particularly when processing complex diagram elements or embedded objects. Attackers can construct Visio documents that contain malformed object data which, when opened by an affected version of Visio, causes the application to perform unsafe memory copy operations. This results in memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Visio. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through social engineering attacks where users unknowingly open malicious Visio files, making it a prime candidate for zero-day exploitation in targeted attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within corporate environments where Visio is commonly used for network diagramming, process modeling, and technical documentation. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as high-risk due to its remote exploitation capability and the widespread use of Visio across enterprise networks. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, especially when users have administrative privileges, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter usage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor released specific fixes for the affected Visio versions. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies, particularly for incoming Visio files from untrusted sources, and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of vulnerable Visio versions. Network segmentation and user access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown Visio files, and organizations should establish procedures for regular vulnerability scanning and patch management to prevent similar issues in other Microsoft Office applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and bounds checking in software development, aligning with security standards that emphasize secure coding practices to prevent buffer overflow conditions.