CVE-2010-3951 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the FlashPix image converter in the graphics filters in Microsoft Office XP SP3 and Office Converter Pack allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted FlashPix image in an Office document, aka "FlashPix Image Converter Buffer Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3951 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3 and the Office Converter Pack's FlashPix image converter component. This security weakness exists within the graphics filters subsystem that processes FlashPix image format files, which are commonly embedded within Microsoft Office documents. The vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking when handling malformed FlashPix image data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The flaw specifically affects the processing pipeline where Office applications attempt to convert FlashPix images into internal formats for display or manipulation, making it particularly dangerous when users open maliciously crafted Office documents containing compromised FlashPix content.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the FlashPix image converter attempts to process specially crafted image data that exceeds the allocated buffer space within the application's memory management system. This condition typically manifests when the converter encounters malformed FlashPix headers or metadata structures that cause the application to write beyond the intended memory boundaries. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which classifies buffer overflow conditions where insufficient memory bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by embedding a malicious FlashPix image within an Office document, which when opened by an affected system triggers the vulnerable code path. The attack vector requires remote delivery through social engineering techniques where users are tricked into opening compromised Office documents containing the malicious image content.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3951 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise affected systems. Successful exploitation can lead to full system control, allowing malicious actors to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish command and control channels for further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Microsoft Office applications that utilize the FlashPix converter, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing is common. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access through the execution of malicious code in compromised systems. The exploit typically requires no user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it a prime candidate for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks against organizations with legacy Office XP systems that may not receive regular updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3951 should prioritize immediate patch deployment for systems running affected Microsoft Office versions, particularly those utilizing Office XP SP3 or the Office Converter Pack. Organizations should implement strict document filtering policies that prevent the automatic opening of FlashPix images or disable FlashPix processing entirely through registry modifications or group policy settings. Network-based protections such as email filtering systems should be configured to block Office documents containing FlashPix content from external sources, while endpoint protection solutions should be updated to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls that restrict the execution of untrusted Office documents and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface available to adversaries targeting legacy systems.