CVE-2012-0177 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Office Works File Converter in Microsoft Office 2007 SP2, Works 9, and Works 6-9 File Converter allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Works (aka .wps) file, aka "Office WPS Converter Heap Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The CVE-2012-0177 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft Office Works File Converter components that affected multiple versions of Microsoft Office and Works software. This vulnerability specifically targets the Office Works File Converter functionality that processes .wps files, which are the native file format for Microsoft Works applications. The flaw exists in the memory management handling of these converters, creating a condition where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap allocation space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through the automatic conversion process that occurs when users open or interact with maliciously crafted Works files, making it an attractive target for remote code execution attacks. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability maps directly to heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient validation allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting program execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious .wps file is processed by the Office Works File Converter, which is integrated into Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 and Works 9 applications. The converter fails to properly validate the size of data structures within the file format, allowing an attacker to craft a specially formatted .wps file that, when opened or processed, triggers a buffer overflow condition in the heap memory region. This overflow can overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the heap. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation typically involves injecting and executing arbitrary code through controlled memory corruption. The flaw affects the core conversion logic that handles Works file format parsing, making it a fundamental component of the software's file processing pipeline.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0177 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to compromised systems through various attack vectors. The vulnerability can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing mechanisms where users open malicious Works files without proper security awareness. Once successfully exploited, attackers gain the ability to execute code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple Microsoft Office versions and Works applications, creating a broad attack surface that makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these applications are commonly deployed. Organizations running these affected versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or as a foothold for further network infiltration attacks. The impact is exacerbated by the fact that many users may not be aware of the risks associated with opening files from untrusted sources, making social engineering attacks particularly effective against this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0177 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves applying Microsoft security patches and updates that address the heap overflow condition in the Office Works File Converter components. Organizations should also implement strict file type controls and disable automatic conversion of unknown file formats, particularly .wps files, through group policy configurations or application whitelisting solutions. Network-based protections such as email filtering and web proxies should be configured to block or quarantine suspicious Works files before they reach end-user systems. Security awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown file attachments and the importance of verifying file sources before processing. Additionally, system hardening measures including heap protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be enabled to reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application control solutions that restrict the execution of potentially vulnerable components and monitor for suspicious file conversion activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.