CVE-2011-0107 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP3, and Office 2007 SP2 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .docx file, aka "Office Component Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0107 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting Microsoft Office versions including XP SP3, Office 2003 SP3, and Office 2007 SP2. This flaw stems from the insecure loading of dynamic link libraries within the application's execution environment, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when Microsoft Office components attempt to load DLL files without proper validation of the library's origin or authenticity, allowing malicious actors to place crafted malicious DLLs in strategic locations within the file system. The attack scenario involves placing a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory where an Office application is executing, particularly when processing files such as .docx documents that trigger component loading.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the Windows DLL search order mechanism, which historically searches for required libraries in a specific sequence including the current working directory before examining system directories. This behavior creates an opportunity for attackers to place malicious DLLs in the same directory as legitimate Office documents, causing the application to load the malicious code instead of the intended legitimate libraries. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the risk of insecure library loading due to improper handling of search paths. This weakness allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the Office application, potentially leading to complete system compromise when users open malicious documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader security implications within enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources. Attackers can craft malicious Office documents that, when opened, automatically load malicious DLLs from the current working directory, bypassing traditional security controls and sandboxing mechanisms. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a document, making it an effective vector for social engineering attacks. The attack surface is significantly expanded when considering that Office applications are commonly used across different operating system versions and configurations, potentially affecting numerous enterprise systems simultaneously. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability corresponds to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1546 Event Triggered Execution, as it enables persistent execution through compromised Office components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0107 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Microsoft released patches addressing this vulnerability through regular security updates, and system administrators should ensure all Office installations are updated to the latest service packs and security patches. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which DLLs can be loaded by Office applications, configuring the Windows search path to prioritize system directories over user directories, and employing security software that monitors for suspicious DLL loading activities. Organizations should also establish security awareness training to educate users about the risks of opening documents from untrusted sources and implement strict file handling procedures that prevent execution of potentially malicious code from unverified directories. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms in preventing such attacks that exploit fundamental operating system behaviors.