CVE-2010-3218 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft Word 2002 SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed records in a Word document, aka "Word Heap Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The CVE-2010-3218 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw in Microsoft Word 2002 Service Pack 3 that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted Word documents. This vulnerability resides in the document parsing engine responsible for processing various record structures within Word files, specifically when handling malformed data sequences that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The flaw originates from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly bounds-check data read from Word document records, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory management practices within Microsoft Word's document processing pipeline. When the application encounters specially crafted records within a Word document, the parsing routine attempts to allocate heap memory for storing parsed data without sufficient validation of the expected data size. This allows an attacker to provide input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing a heap overflow condition that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability specifically targets the heap memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass broader system compromise capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within network environments. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Word 2002 SP3 specifically, but similar patterns of exploitation have been observed in other Office applications, making it part of a broader class of vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Office document processing components. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by opening a malicious document, eliminating the need for additional attack vectors or user interaction beyond document opening. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open compromised documents sent via email or downloaded from untrusted sources.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation involves applying Microsoft security patches and updates that address the heap overflow condition in Word 2002 SP3. Organizations should also deploy application whitelisting solutions to restrict execution of untrusted Office documents and implement strict email filtering policies to prevent delivery of malicious documents. Network-based intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for known exploit patterns associated with this vulnerability. The mitigation strategies align with established cybersecurity frameworks including the mitre ATT&CK framework's technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, and CWE-121 for Stack-based Buffer Overflow. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing technologies and privileged account protection measures to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for end users remains critical to prevent social engineering attacks that may deliver malicious Word documents containing this vulnerability.