CVE-2010-1902 in Office Compatibility Pack
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Microsoft Office Word 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP2; Microsoft Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac; Open XML File Format Converter for Mac; Office Word Viewer; and Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified properties in the data in a crafted RTF document, aka "Word RTF Parsing Buffer Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Microsoft Office Word processing components that affects multiple versions across different platforms including Windows and Mac operating systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the parsing of Rich Text Format documents, where maliciously crafted data can trigger memory corruption that leads to arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists in the RTF parsing engine that handles document properties and formatting information, making it particularly dangerous as RTF documents are commonly used for document exchange and communication. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls within the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through crafted document content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation during RTF document processing where the application fails to properly validate the length of data structures within the document format. When Office Word encounters a crafted RTF document containing maliciously constructed properties or data sequences, the parsing routine attempts to copy data into fixed-size buffers without adequate boundary checks. This allows an attacker to overflow the allocated memory space and potentially overwrite critical program execution structures such as return addresses or function pointers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because RTF documents are frequently shared via email attachments, web downloads, and document exchange platforms, providing multiple attack vectors for exploitation. The affected products include Office 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2, Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac, Open XML File Format Converter for Mac, Office Word Viewer, and the Office Compatibility Pack, indicating a widespread impact across Microsoft Office product lines. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the affected Office application, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data theft capabilities. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow allows attackers to gain arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected Office application, which typically runs with the user's privileges. This can lead to privilege escalation scenarios where attackers might gain elevated access to system resources, file access, or network connectivity. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious RTF documents through various channels without requiring physical access to the target system. The attack surface is particularly broad given that RTF documents are commonly used in business environments, educational institutions, and government organizations where document sharing is frequent. Organizations using the affected Office versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through email phishing campaigns, malicious website downloads, or compromised document repositories. The lack of robust input validation in the RTF parsing engine makes this vulnerability particularly difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach combining immediate patch management with defensive security controls. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability through the regular security bulletin process, and organizations should prioritize applying the relevant patches to all affected Office installations. The most effective immediate mitigation involves disabling RTF document processing capabilities or implementing strict document validation policies that filter RTF content before it reaches the Office application. Network-based security controls such as email filtering systems should be configured to scan and block RTF attachments from untrusted sources. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of Office applications in potentially dangerous contexts can reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider deploying sandboxing solutions that isolate Office document processing in isolated environments to prevent successful exploitation. User education regarding the risks of opening unknown RTF documents and implementing security awareness training can significantly reduce successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated Office installations that may be susceptible to this and similar vulnerabilities.