CVE-2010-3947 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the TIFF image converter in the graphics filters in Microsoft Office XP SP3, Office Converter Pack, and Works 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted TIFF image in an Office document, aka "TIFF Image Converter Heap Overflow Vulnerability."
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3947 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting Microsoft Office products including Office XP SP3, the Office Converter Pack, and Works 9. This flaw resides within the TIFF image converter component that functions as part of the graphics filters system, making it a prime target for exploitation in document-based attacks. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing maliciously crafted TIFF images embedded within Office documents, creating a pathway for remote code execution that could be leveraged by attackers without requiring local system access. The attack vector exploits the improper handling of image data during the conversion process, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a memory safety issue where data written to a heap buffer exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw occurs during the TIFF image processing within Office's graphics filter subsystem, where the application fails to properly validate the size and structure of TIFF image data before attempting to convert it into an internal format. This allows attackers to craft TIFF files containing specially constructed data that, when processed by the vulnerable Office components, triggers the buffer overflow condition. The heap corruption typically results in memory pointers being overwritten, which can lead to arbitrary code execution when the corrupted program flow is manipulated to redirect execution to attacker-controlled code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data theft capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable Office software, potentially establishing persistent backdoors or deploying additional malware. The vulnerability's remote exploitation nature means that users need only open a maliciously crafted Office document containing the malformed TIFF image to be compromised, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. Organizations with legacy Office installations, particularly those running Office XP SP3, face significant risk as these products are no longer supported with security updates, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. The attack surface is further expanded by the widespread use of Microsoft Office across enterprise environments, where a single compromised document can potentially affect multiple users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3947 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the relevant Microsoft security patches, specifically the updates released in response to this vulnerability, which include fixes for the TIFF image processing components. Organizations should also implement restrictive file handling policies that prevent automatic processing of external image files, particularly TIFF images, through Office applications. Network-level protections such as email filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can help prevent the delivery of malicious documents to end users. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege and maintaining up-to-date antivirus signatures are essential defensive measures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving initial access through malicious files and execution through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, making it a critical target for defensive security operations and incident response procedures.