CVE-2010-0262 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office Excel 2007 SP1 and SP2 and Office 2004 for Mac do not properly parse the Excel file format, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted spreadsheet that triggers access of an uninitialized stack variable, aka "Microsoft Office Excel FNGROUPNAME Record Uninitialized Memory Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0262 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Service Pack 1 and 2, as well as Office 2004 for Mac. This issue stems from improper parsing of Excel file format structures, specifically within the FNGROUPNAME record processing mechanism. The vulnerability falls under the category of uninitialized memory access, which is classified as CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, and represents a classic buffer overrun scenario where the application attempts to access memory that has not been properly initialized.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted Excel spreadsheet is opened, triggering the processing of a specially constructed FNGROUPNAME record. During this parsing operation, the application accesses an uninitialized stack variable, which can contain arbitrary data from previous operations. This uninitialized memory access creates a potential code execution vector where remote attackers can manipulate the contents of this uninitialized variable to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the Excel application. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of a stack-based buffer overflow, where the uninitialized variable serves as a critical point of exploitation for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized control over affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to perform remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Excel application. This capability allows adversaries to install malware, modify system configurations, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within compromised environments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious spreadsheets through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious file sharing platforms. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005: "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic", as the exploitation often involves manipulating Office documents to execute malicious VBA macros or other scripting content.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates that improved the validation and initialization of memory variables during Excel file parsing operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management strategies to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates. Additionally, users should exercise caution when opening spreadsheet files from untrusted sources, and administrators should consider implementing email filtering and file type restriction policies to minimize exposure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in office productivity applications, particularly those handling complex binary file formats. Organizations should also consider deploying application whitelisting solutions and network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts.