CVE-2011-1972 in Visio
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Visio 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2, and 2010 Gold and SP1 does not properly validate objects in memory during Visio file parsing, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted file, aka "pStream Release RCE Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1972 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Visio software versions 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2, and 2010 Gold and SP1. This issue stems from inadequate validation of objects during the parsing of Visio files, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the pStream Release functionality within Visio's file processing mechanisms, where improper memory handling allows attackers to manipulate object states during file parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Visio file structures, particularly targeting the memory management aspects of the pStream release process. When Visio processes a specially crafted file, the software fails to properly validate memory objects, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This memory handling flaw falls under the category of memory safety issues commonly associated with improper input validation and insufficient bounds checking. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw because attackers can deliver malicious Visio files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1972 extends beyond simple exploitation as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the target system environment. Since Visio is commonly used in business and enterprise settings for diagramming and technical documentation, the attack surface is substantial. The vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Visio, potentially leading to full system compromise. This risk is particularly concerning in corporate environments where Visio is widely deployed and users may inadvertently open malicious files from untrusted sources. The attack requires no special privileges to initiate, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through social engineering tactics such as phishing campaigns.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all impacted Visio versions, as Microsoft released security updates to address the memory validation issues. System administrators should implement network segmentation and email filtering to prevent the delivery of malicious Visio files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) or CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) depending on the specific exploitation method. Additional mitigations include disabling Visio file handling in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious Visio file activity and ensuring that all users are running patched versions of the software to prevent exploitation attempts.