CVE-2012-0019 in Visio Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Visio Viewer 2010 Gold and SP1 does not properly handle memory during the parsing of files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted attributes in a Visio file, aka "VSD File Format Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0020, CVE-2012-0136, CVE-2012-0137, and CVE-2012-0138.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0019 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Visio Viewer 2010, specifically affecting both the Gold and Service Pack 1 versions of the software. This vulnerability resides in the file parsing mechanism of the Visio Viewer application, which is designed to open and display Visio document files without requiring the full Visio application. The flaw manifests when the application processes Visio files containing specially crafted attributes that trigger improper memory handling during the parsing process. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read," as the application fails to properly validate memory boundaries when processing malformed Visio file attributes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote code execution, meaning attackers can exploit this flaw from a distance without requiring local system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Visio Viewer application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters within Visio document files. When the application encounters a Visio file with malformed or crafted attributes, the parsing routine attempts to access memory locations outside the intended boundaries, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory segments, potentially allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Visio Viewer process. The vulnerability differs from other related issues such as CVE-2012-0020, CVE-2012-0136, CVE-2012-0137, and CVE-2012-0138, which indicates that while these vulnerabilities may affect similar software components, each has distinct triggering conditions and exploitation methods. The attack vector requires the victim to open a maliciously crafted Visio file, typically through email attachments or malicious websites, making this a classic example of a file format vulnerability that can be exploited through social engineering tactics.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0019 is significant within enterprise environments where Visio Viewer is commonly deployed for document sharing and collaboration purposes. Organizations running Microsoft Visio Viewer 2010 are particularly vulnerable to attacks that could result in complete system compromise, as the remote code execution capability allows attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The vulnerability affects systems where users might inadvertently open malicious Visio files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where document sharing is frequent and security awareness may be limited. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution," as it enables attackers to execute malicious code on targeted systems through the exploitation of client-side applications. The vulnerability also relates to T1059: "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0019 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term remediation approaches. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected systems running Visio Viewer 2010. In environments where patching cannot be immediately implemented, administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting controls to restrict execution of Visio Viewer applications, particularly when processing untrusted documents. Network-based protections such as email filtering and web proxies can help prevent users from accessing malicious Visio files through email attachments or web downloads. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of not opening suspicious Visio files, even when they appear to come from trusted sources. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining updated security software and implementing proper file type validation mechanisms to prevent execution of potentially malicious documents. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for document processing to isolate potentially malicious files from critical system resources.