CVE-2010-3233 in Excel
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3 and 2003 SP3 does not properly validate record information, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .wk3 (aka Lotus 1-2-3 workbook) file, aka "Lotus 1-2-3 Workbook Parsing Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3233 represents a critical flaw in Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3 and Excel 2003 SP3 that stems from inadequate validation of record information within Lotus 1-2-3 workbook files. This vulnerability specifically affects the parsing mechanism that handles .wk3 file extensions, which are used by the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet application. The flaw occurs when Excel attempts to process these files and fails to properly validate the structure and content of the records contained within the workbook format. This improper validation creates a condition where maliciously crafted data within the file can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management and execution flow.
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 writes. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating specially crafted .wk3 files that contain malformed record structures designed to overflow buffers or manipulate memory pointers within Excel's parsing engine. When a user opens such a malicious file, the application's failure to validate record boundaries allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Excel. This represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where the attacker can manipulate the program's execution flow through carefully constructed input data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter such files through email attachments or file sharing. The vulnerability affects a wide range of users since Excel 2002 and 2003 were widely deployed in corporate settings, and the attack vector through Lotus 1-2-3 files means that even users who primarily use Excel could be targeted. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that many users may not be aware of the risks associated with opening files from untrusted sources, especially when these files appear to be legitimate spreadsheet documents.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1068, which involves exploit for privilege escalation. The attack chain typically involves initial compromise through social engineering or malicious file delivery, followed by execution of malicious code that can establish persistence, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate data. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including email filtering, application whitelisting, and user education to mitigate this risk. The recommended mitigations include applying Microsoft security patches immediately, disabling automatic opening of files from untrusted sources, and implementing strict file type controls in network environments. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring for unusual file access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and understanding the attack surface created by legacy applications that may not receive continued security support from vendors.