CVE-2010-3945 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the CGM image converter in the graphics filters in Microsoft Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP3, and Office Converter Pack allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted CGM image in an Office document, aka "CGM Image Converter Buffer Overrun Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The CVE-2010-3945 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft Office's graphics filters subsystem, specifically affecting the Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) image converter component. This vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3, Office 2003 Service Pack 3, and the Office Converter Pack, making it a persistent threat across multiple versions of the Office suite. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation when processing CGM image files, which are commonly used in professional graphics applications and document formatting. When a maliciously crafted CGM image is embedded within an Office document, the converter fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw occurs during the parsing of CGM image data structures, where the converter attempts to process image parameters without adequate validation of input boundaries. Attackers can craft CGM files containing malformed data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing a stack overflow that can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow. This vulnerability specifically targets the graphics processing pipeline within Office applications, where CGM images are converted to internal formats for display and manipulation. The buffer overflow typically occurs when the converter encounters oversized or malformed CGM elements such as color tables, drawing commands, or coordinate specifications that exceed expected memory allocations.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3945 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for gaining unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable Office versions. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Office documents are frequently shared and opened by multiple users, creating numerous potential attack vectors. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious CGM images through email attachments, web downloads, or document sharing platforms without requiring local system access. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent access to network resources. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it in the Execution tactic category, specifically utilizing techniques such as command and script injection, where the overflow enables arbitrary code execution through the Office application's graphics processing subsystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment as provided by Microsoft through security updates, which address the underlying buffer overflow condition by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should implement strict document filtering policies that prevent the opening of untrusted CGM files or disable CGM image processing entirely within Office applications. Network-based protections such as email filtering systems and web proxies can be configured to block CGM file attachments and prevent their delivery through corporate networks. Additionally, users should be trained to avoid opening documents from untrusted sources and to verify document integrity before processing. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that limit the attack surface of Office applications. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious Office document processing activities and unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of potentially vulnerable Office components until comprehensive security updates are deployed across all systems.