CVE-2010-1252 in Excel
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Office Excel 2002 SP3 and Office 2004 for Mac allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel file, aka "Excel String Variable Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1252 represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft Office Excel 2002 SP3 and Office 2004 for Mac applications. This unspecified vulnerability creates a pathway for remote attackers to gain unauthorized execution of arbitrary code through the manipulation of specially crafted Excel files. The flaw specifically targets the handling of string variables within Excel's processing engine, demonstrating the inherent risks associated with complex spreadsheet applications that must interpret and execute various data formats. The vulnerability affects users across different operating systems and versions, highlighting the widespread impact potential of such flaws in enterprise environments where Microsoft Office remains the dominant spreadsheet application.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within Excel's string variable processing mechanisms. When a maliciously crafted Excel file is opened, the application fails to properly sanitize string data, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the user's session. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, or more specifically CWE-787, "Out-of-bounds Write" when the exploitation involves memory corruption. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince users to open the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in targeted phishing campaigns or supply chain attacks where attackers can manipulate legitimate documents to contain the malicious payload.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1252 extends beyond simple code execution, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Once executed, the malicious code can perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or establishing backdoor access. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to T1059.005 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic" or T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" depending on how the malicious payload is encoded. Organizations using these older versions of Microsoft Office face significant risk, as these applications lack modern security features such as exploit protection mechanisms, sandboxing, and runtime protections that are standard in contemporary software. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in corporate environments where Excel files are frequently shared and used for business operations, creating multiple potential entry points for attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1252 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from Microsoft, though the affected versions are no longer supported, making this approach challenging for many organizations. System administrators should implement strict file access controls and content filtering measures to prevent users from opening potentially malicious Excel files. Network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions can help contain the impact if exploitation occurs. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unknown or untrusted Excel files, particularly those from external sources. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and the risks associated with using legacy applications that no longer receive security updates, as these systems become increasingly vulnerable to exploitation. Regular security awareness training for users becomes crucial to prevent successful social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability, as user interaction remains essential for successful exploitation.