CVE-2010-1250 in Excel
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Excel 2002 SP3, Office 2004 for Mac, Office 2008 for Mac, and Open XML File Format Converter for Mac allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an Excel file with malformed (1) EDG (0x88) and (2) Publisher (0x89) records, aka "Excel EDG Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The CVE-2010-1250 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Office including Excel 2002 SP3, Office 2004 for Mac, Office 2008 for Mac, and the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Excel file parsing engine when processing malformed EDG (0x88) and Publisher (0x89) records. The flaw occurs during the handling of structured workbook data where the application fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations when processing these specific record types, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory layout.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent memory management weaknesses in Microsoft Office's Excel implementation. When processing maliciously crafted Excel files containing these malformed records, the application allocates insufficient memory buffers to accommodate the expected data structures. This insufficient memory allocation allows attackers to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries into adjacent heap memory regions, potentially overwriting critical program data or executable code. The vulnerability specifically targets the heap memory management system where the EDG and Publisher records are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where users frequently open Excel files from untrusted sources. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can deliver malicious payloads through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms without requiring local access to the target system. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute malicious code, establish persistence mechanisms, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. The vulnerability affects multiple platforms and versions, amplifying its potential impact across different organizational infrastructures and increasing the attack surface for threat actors.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including disabling automatic execution of macros in Excel files, implementing strict file validation policies, and ensuring all systems are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, Heap-based Buffer Overflow, and represents a classic example of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited through the ATT&CK technique of Malicious File Execution. Organizations should also deploy network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file transfers and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Office files. Regular security awareness training for users regarding the dangers of opening suspicious Excel files remains essential in reducing the risk of successful exploitation attempts.