CVE-2010-3236 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3 and 2003 SP3, Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac, and Open XML File Format Converter for Mac do not properly validate record information, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel document, aka "Out Of Bounds Array Vulnerability."
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3236 represents a critical out-of-bounds array access flaw in Microsoft Excel and related Office applications that affects multiple versions across different platforms. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of record information within Excel file formats, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory handling mechanisms through specially crafted Excel documents. The flaw specifically targets the parsing logic that processes structured data within spreadsheet files, where the application fails to properly bounds-check array indices before accessing memory locations, leading to potential code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when Excel processes malformed or specially constructed spreadsheet files that contain oversized or improperly formatted records. According to CWE-129, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Improper Validation of Array Index," where the software does not adequately verify that array indices are within valid bounds before accessing array elements. The flaw occurs during the parsing phase of Excel's file processing engine, where the application attempts to access memory locations that exceed the allocated array boundaries. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory areas, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3236 extends beyond simple exploitation as it affects a wide range of Microsoft Office products including Excel 2002 SP3, Excel 2003 SP3, Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac, and the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac. This broad scope increases the attack surface significantly, as users across different operating systems and software versions could be compromised through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious documents shared through collaboration platforms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The attack chain typically involves crafting a malicious Excel file that triggers the out-of-bounds array access when opened, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the Excel process. The exploitation process often requires precise manipulation of file structures to ensure that the memory corruption results in controlled code execution rather than system instability or crash. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be particularly challenging to detect through traditional signature-based methods due to the legitimate nature of array access operations that are being misused.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3236 should include immediate application of Microsoft security patches and updates, particularly for affected Office versions. System administrators should implement defensive measures such as email filtering rules to block suspicious Excel attachments, disable automatic execution of macros, and employ sandboxing techniques for document processing. Network-level protections should include content filtering solutions that can identify and quarantine potentially malicious Excel files before they reach end users. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized Office applications and maintain comprehensive monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in software development, particularly for applications that process untrusted data from external sources.