CVE-2010-3954 in Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Publisher 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2010 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted Publisher file, aka "Microsoft Publisher Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3954 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Publisher 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2010 versions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability type, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests when the affected software processes specially crafted Publisher files, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate memory structures to achieve unauthorized system access or service disruption.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper input validation and memory handling within the Publisher application's file parsing routines. When a maliciously crafted Publisher file is opened, the application fails to properly validate the structure and content of the file, leading to buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through automated means, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of specific file elements, where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially allowing for code injection attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Microsoft Publisher for document creation and sharing. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems, execute malicious code, or cause denial of service conditions that disrupt business operations. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, making this vulnerability particularly attractive for widespread attacks. The vulnerability affects versions that were widely deployed in enterprise environments, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors. Organizations using these older versions face increased risk of compromise, especially when users open untrusted Publisher files from email attachments or web downloads.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems. Once exploited, attackers can establish footholds within networks and potentially move laterally to access additional systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1059, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters. The memory corruption nature of the vulnerability also relates to the broader category of memory safety issues that are commonly exploited in modern attack campaigns. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted documents remains crucial in mitigating the risk associated with this type of memory corruption vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security updates and patches addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized Publisher files, particularly in high-risk environments. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running affected versions of Publisher. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and the risks associated with using legacy applications that no longer receive security updates. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing solutions for processing untrusted documents and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle memory corruption vulnerabilities.