CVE-2012-0138 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-2012-0136, and CVE-2012-0137.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0138 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Visio Viewer 2010, specifically affecting both the Gold release and Service Pack 1 versions. This vulnerability stems from inadequate memory handling during the parsing of Visio file formats, creating a pathway for remote code execution through maliciously crafted attributes within .vsd files. The flaw operates at the core parsing mechanism of the viewer application, where improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through carefully constructed file attributes that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Visio Viewer's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters during file format parsing operations. When the application processes a maliciously crafted Visio file containing specially constructed attributes, the memory allocation and handling routines become compromised, leading to potential code execution privileges for remote attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, targeting the file format parser component that handles Microsoft Visio document structures and their associated metadata.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations that utilize Microsoft Visio Viewer for document processing and collaboration. Attackers can leverage this flaw by distributing malicious Visio files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, enabling them to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file. The remote execution capability means that threat actors can compromise systems from afar, potentially establishing persistent access or deploying additional malware payloads. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the execution and privilege escalation domains, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain system-level privileges.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within a network environment. Organizations that have not applied the relevant Microsoft security updates face potential compromise of sensitive business documents and systems. The vulnerability's similarity to other CVE identifiers such as CVE-2012-0019, CVE-2012-0020, CVE-2012-0136, and CVE-2012-0137 indicates a pattern of memory corruption issues within Microsoft's Visio product line during this timeframe, suggesting that multiple related vulnerabilities existed within the same parsing infrastructure. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches, implementation of email filtering controls to block suspicious Visio file attachments, and network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling automatic opening of Visio files in web browsers and implementing strict file validation policies for document handling processes.