CVE-2009-0102 in Project
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Project 2000 SR1 and 2002 SP1, and Office Project 2003 SP3, does not properly handle memory allocation for Project files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed file, aka "Project Memory Validation Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0102 represents a critical memory handling flaw in Microsoft Project software versions 2000 Service Release 1, 2002 Service Pack 1, and 2003 Service Pack 3. This issue falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited remotely through specially crafted project files. The flaw stems from inadequate validation of memory allocation processes when processing project files, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates through the standard file processing mechanisms that users expect to be safe, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional user awareness measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory allocation during the parsing of project file structures. When Microsoft Project software encounters malformed project files, the memory management routines fail to properly validate the allocated memory regions, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This type of vulnerability is classified as a CWE-125 vulnerability, representing an out-of-bounds read condition that can result in arbitrary code execution. The flaw specifically affects the project file parser component, which is responsible for interpreting and rendering project data structures including task lists, resource assignments, and scheduling information. Attackers can craft malicious project files that trigger memory allocation failures, allowing them to overwrite memory locations with malicious code payloads that execute with the privileges of the affected application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations that rely on Microsoft Project for project management and planning. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond opening a malicious project file. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where project files are frequently shared between team members and across departments. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing systems where project files are stored and accessed. Organizations with extensive project management workflows using these vulnerable versions of Microsoft Project face substantial risk of unauthorized code execution, data compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor released specific fixes for this memory validation issue. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies for project files received from external sources, including sandboxed processing environments for suspicious files. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for patterns associated with malformed project file attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through script interpreters and T1203 for exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls to restrict execution of untrusted project files and establish secure file handling procedures that include virus scanning and content validation. The remediation process requires careful testing of patches to ensure compatibility with existing project management workflows while maintaining security posture against this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.