CVE-2010-2569 in Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
pubconv.dll (aka the Publisher Converter DLL) in Microsoft Publisher 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP2 does not properly handle an unspecified size field in certain older file formats, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) via a crafted Publisher file, aka "Size Value Heap Corruption in pubconv.dll Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The CVE-2010-2569 vulnerability represents a critical heap memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Publisher's Publisher Converter DLL component. This vulnerability specifically affects Microsoft Publisher 2002 Service Pack 3, Publisher 2003 Service Pack 3, and Publisher 2007 Service Pack 2 versions, making it a long-standing issue that persisted across multiple product iterations. The flaw manifests in the improper handling of an unspecified size field within legacy file formats, creating a condition where maliciously crafted Publisher documents can trigger unauthorized code execution or system instability. This vulnerability operates at the core of Microsoft's document conversion infrastructure, where the pubconv.dll module processes files from older Publisher formats that predate the modern document standards.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of size fields within Publisher document structures that are processed by the affected converter DLL. When a maliciously crafted Publisher file is opened or processed, the converter attempts to parse these malformed size fields, leading to improper memory allocation and subsequent heap corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability's classification as heap corruption indicates that attackers can potentially overwrite critical memory structures, enabling arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions that may allow privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2569 extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios, as it represents a persistent threat vector in enterprise environments where legacy Publisher files may be encountered. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through social engineering tactics, delivering malicious Publisher documents via email attachments or compromised websites, where the automatic conversion process triggers the exploitable condition. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that users need not have direct access to systems, as simply opening or processing a crafted file can result in system compromise. Organizations running affected Microsoft Publisher versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where document sharing occurs frequently with external parties who may inadvertently or maliciously introduce compromised files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Microsoft Publisher installations through official Microsoft security updates, as the company released patches specifically addressing this heap corruption issue. System administrators should implement strict document filtering policies, particularly for Publisher files received from untrusted sources, and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted Publisher files. Network-based intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious Publisher file patterns, while endpoint protection solutions should be updated to recognize and block malicious Publisher documents. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Publisher versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and proper input validation in document processing systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation through input validation flaws.