CVE-2011-1269 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft PowerPoint 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP2; Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac; Open XML File Format Converter for Mac; and Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP2 make unspecified function calls during file parsing without proper handling of memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PowerPoint document, aka "Presentation Memory Corruption RCE Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1269 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Office applications including PowerPoint 2002 SP3, 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP2, along with Office 2004 and 2008 for Mac, the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac, and the Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats SP2. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, specifically addressing out-of-bounds read conditions that occur during file parsing operations. The flaw manifests when applications process malformed PowerPoint presentation files, creating opportunities for remote code execution through unspecified function calls that fail to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted PowerPoint document is opened by an affected application, triggering memory corruption during the parsing phase of file processing. This memory handling failure enables attackers to manipulate the application's memory space and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable software. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates through a remote attack vector, meaning attackers can deliver malicious documents via email attachments, web downloads, or other remote delivery mechanisms without requiring physical access to the target system. The attack leverages the inherent trust users place in office documents, making it an effective vector for social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1269 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to persistent backdoor installation, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Microsoft Office face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources or where email security measures are insufficient. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple Office versions and platforms creates a substantial attack surface that security teams must address through immediate remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying Microsoft security patches and updates as released through the Microsoft Security Response Center. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive timely updates, particularly given the remote exploit nature of the vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious Office documents, disabling automatic opening of attachments in email clients, and employing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized Office applications. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should also be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts and limit lateral movement capabilities of attackers who may successfully compromise individual systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in software development and underscores the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the Center for Internet Security and NIST guidelines.