CVE-2011-1508 in Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Publisher 2003 SP3, and 2007 SP2 and SP3, does not properly manage memory allocations for function pointers, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Publisher file, aka "Publisher Function Pointer Overwrite Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The CVE-2011-1508 vulnerability represents a critical memory management flaw in Microsoft Publisher 2003 SP3 and Publisher 2007 SP2 and SP3 versions. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues and specifically manifests as a function pointer overwrite vulnerability that enables remote code execution. The flaw occurs when Publisher processes specially crafted files that contain malformed function pointer references within the application's memory management system. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that can be exploited through user-assisted remote attack vectors, meaning an attacker can trick a user into opening a malicious Publisher document to trigger the exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocations for function pointers within Publisher's document processing engine. When the application encounters a crafted Publisher file containing maliciously constructed function pointer data, it fails to properly validate or sanitize these references before executing them. This memory management failure creates an opportunity for attackers to overwrite critical function pointers in memory, effectively redirecting the execution flow of the application to malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to full system compromise. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as 'Stack-based Buffer Overflow' and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 'Exploitation for Client Execution' which targets vulnerabilities in desktop applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1508 is significant for organizations relying on Microsoft Publisher for document creation and sharing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised documents shared via collaboration platforms. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that social engineering plays a crucial role in successful exploitation, as users must open the malicious document for the vulnerability to be triggered. This makes the attack surface broader and more challenging to defend against, as it requires comprehensive user education alongside technical controls. Organizations using Publisher 2003 SP3 or Publisher 2007 SP2 and SP3 are particularly vulnerable, as these versions lack proper input validation and memory management protections that would prevent such function pointer overwrites from occurring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1508 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term remediation approaches. Microsoft has released security updates and patches specifically addressing this vulnerability, which organizations should deploy immediately across all affected systems. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of Publisher applications unless absolutely necessary, particularly in high-risk environments. Network-based protections such as email filtering and web proxies should be configured to block potentially malicious Publisher files from entering the network. Additionally, users should be trained to recognize suspicious email attachments and avoid opening documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing layered security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for suspicious memory allocation patterns or execution flows that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its alignment with ATT&CK framework techniques, comprehensive security monitoring should include detection of memory corruption patterns and unusual execution behavior in office applications.