CVE-2010-3239 in Excel
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Excel 2002 SP3 does not properly validate record information, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Excel document, aka "Extra Out of Boundary Record Parsing Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3239 represents a critical flaw in Microsoft Excel 2002 Service Pack 3 that stems from inadequate validation of record information within Excel file formats. This weakness falls under the category of buffer overflows and memory corruption vulnerabilities, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds record parsing issue that can be exploited remotely. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems simply by persuading users to open a specially crafted Excel document, making it a prime target for social engineering attacks and automated exploitation campaigns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Excel processes malformed record structures within Excel files, particularly in the way it handles extra record data that extends beyond expected boundaries. This parsing flaw enables attackers to manipulate the memory layout of the Excel application during file processing, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to inject and execute malicious code. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow condition where the application fails to properly validate the size and structure of records before processing them, allowing for data to be written beyond allocated memory regions. This issue aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3239 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a reliable vector for gaining unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Excel. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability can enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within networks where vulnerable systems exist. The remote exploitation capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open malicious documents sent via email or downloaded from compromised websites. This vulnerability has been catalogued in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to exploitation of remote services and privilege escalation, specifically mapping to T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution and T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Microsoft released security updates to address the record parsing flaw in Excel 2002 SP3. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all vulnerable systems receive the necessary security updates promptly. Additional protective measures include deploying email filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious Excel documents, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted Office files, and conducting regular security awareness training to help users recognize potential social engineering attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should also be employed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in software development, emphasizing that even seemingly benign file parsing operations can present significant security risks when proper validation mechanisms are absent.