CVE-2010-3232 in Office Compatibility Pack
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Excel 2003 SP3 and 2007 SP2; Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac; Open XML File Format Converter for Mac; Excel Viewer SP2; and Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP2 do not properly validate record information, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel document, aka "Excel File Format Parsing Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3232 represents a critical file format parsing flaw affecting multiple Microsoft Office versions and compatibility tools. This issue stems from inadequate validation of record structures within Excel file formats, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability impacts a broad range of Microsoft Office products including Excel 2003 SP3 and 2007 SP2, Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac, the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac, Excel Viewer SP2, and the Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP2. The flaw specifically manifests in how these applications process structured data within Excel documents, particularly when handling malformed or specially crafted record information that should be properly validated before execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating malicious Excel files containing specially crafted record structures that bypass normal validation mechanisms. When these malformed documents are opened by vulnerable applications, the parsing engine encounters unexpected data sequences that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203, specifically targeting application vulnerabilities through file format manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3232 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows threat actors to install additional malware, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The widespread adoption of Microsoft Office products across enterprise environments amplifies the potential damage, as a single compromised document could affect numerous users. Organizations relying on legacy Office versions or compatibility tools face heightened risk, as these products often lack the security updates and modern exploit mitigation features found in current software versions. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through email attachments, web downloads, or other network-based delivery methods without requiring local access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3232 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Microsoft Office versions, as Microsoft released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies, including disabling automatic execution of macros and restricting file type associations for Office applications. Network-based protections such as email filtering systems should be configured to scan and quarantine suspicious Excel files before they reach end users. Additionally, security awareness training for employees should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected or untrusted Office documents, particularly those received via email. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Office applications to known good files and configurations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against this and similar file format parsing vulnerabilities that continue to pose significant threats to enterprise security environments.