CVE-2012-0136 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-2012-0019, CVE-2012-0020, CVE-2012-0137, and CVE-2012-0138.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
This vulnerability affects Microsoft Visio Viewer 2010 Gold and Service Pack 1, representing a critical memory corruption flaw in the file format parsing mechanism. The vulnerability arises from improper memory handling during the processing of Visio files, specifically when parsing crafted attributes within .vsd file formats. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious Visio files containing specially designed attributes that trigger memory corruption during the parsing process. The flaw enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction, as simply opening the malicious file in the vulnerable viewer application can lead to arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These weaknesses occur during the file parsing phase when the Visio Viewer application fails to properly validate or sanitize input attributes from the Visio file format. The memory corruption happens at the parsing layer where the application attempts to process malformed attributes, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that attackers can leverage for code execution. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices within the Visio Viewer's file processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for remote system compromise through social engineering attacks. Attackers can distribute malicious Visio files through email attachments, compromised websites, or file sharing platforms, knowing that users with the vulnerable Visio Viewer installed will be automatically compromised upon opening the file. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where Visio Viewer is commonly installed for document viewing purposes, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to corporate networks. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or local privileges.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch management, as Microsoft released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability in their regular security bulletins. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for Visio files received from untrusted sources, and consider disabling automatic opening of Visio files in web browsers or email clients. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface, while security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown file attachments. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege, ensuring that Visio Viewer applications are not installed with elevated permissions, and implementing monitoring for unusual file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious Visio file patterns, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of a file format parsing vulnerability that can be effectively mitigated through proper security controls and timely patch deployment.