CVE-2010-1681 in VISIO
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in VISIODWG.DLL before 10.0.6880.4 in Microsoft Office Visio allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DXF file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-0254 and CVE-2010-0256.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1681 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the VISIODWG.DLL component of Microsoft Office Visio versions prior to 10.0.6880.4. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) files, which are commonly used for exchanging vector graphics between different CAD and drawing applications. The flaw exists in the way Visio processes these files, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered by maliciously crafted DXF content. The vulnerability is distinct from other related issues such as CVE-2010-0254 and CVE-2010-0256, indicating it represents a unique code path or implementation error within the Visio application's file parsing logic. This buffer overflow occurs during the processing of structured drawing data, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the application's memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the VISIODWG.DLL library when parsing DXF file structures. When Visio encounters a specially crafted DXF file, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the size or structure of data elements within the file, leading to a situation where more data can be written to a buffer than it can accommodate. This classic buffer overflow condition creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting return addresses or function pointers in memory. The vulnerability is classified as a user-assisted remote code execution flaw, meaning that an attacker must convince a user to open a maliciously crafted file, but the attack can be executed remotely without requiring local system access. The flaw operates at the memory management level and is directly related to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on data structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1681 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass significant security risks for organizations using Microsoft Office Visio. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can enable attackers to gain complete control over the affected system, potentially allowing for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent malware. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where Visio is commonly used for technical documentation, design work, and collaborative projects, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to compromise business systems. Organizations that rely on Visio for document sharing and collaboration are particularly vulnerable, as the attack vector can be delivered through email attachments, shared network drives, or web-based file repositories. The remote nature of the attack means that even users who do not directly interact with Visio files may be at risk if they have access to potentially compromised documents within their network environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1681 should prioritize immediate patch management and system hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability in the 10.0.6880.4 version of Office Visio, and organizations must ensure all affected systems are updated to the latest security patches. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file validation policies that prevent automatic opening of DXF files from untrusted sources, deploying application whitelisting solutions to restrict execution of unauthorized Visio components, and configuring email filtering systems to block suspicious file attachments. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be employed to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059 for command and script interpreter execution, T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for file processing and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle remote code execution vulnerabilities in office productivity applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of unpatched Visio installations within the enterprise environment.