CVE-2010-0254 in Visio
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office Visio 2002 SP2, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1 and SP2 does not properly validate attributes in Visio files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted file, aka "Visio Attribute Validation Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0254 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Office Visio versions 2002 SP2, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP1 and SP2. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of attributes within Visio file formats, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code on affected systems. The flaw specifically targets the parsing mechanism of Visio files, where the software fails to properly validate attribute values during file processing, leading to potential buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited to gain arbitrary code execution privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Visio applications process specially crafted Visio files containing malformed attribute data. When the application attempts to parse these attributes without adequate validation, it can lead to memory corruption that allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the vulnerable software. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of buffer overflow conditions, specifically manifesting as heap-based buffer overflows that can be triggered through crafted input data. The attack vector requires remote delivery of malicious Visio files, typically through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from external sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0254 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access for attackers. Once executed, malicious code can establish backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially spread laterally within network environments. The vulnerability affects organizations using legacy Visio versions, particularly those that have not implemented timely security updates, creating extended attack surfaces for threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute commands with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0254 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, along with network-based controls such as email filtering and web application firewalls to prevent delivery of malicious Visio files. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies, disable automatic opening of Visio files from untrusted sources, and consider sandboxing mechanisms for document processing. Additionally, security awareness training for users to recognize potentially malicious file attachments and regular vulnerability assessments to identify unpatched systems are essential components of a comprehensive defense strategy. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth measures to protect against exploitation of legacy software vulnerabilities.