CVE-2012-2524 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 and SP3 and 2010 SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) file, aka "CGM File Format Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The CVE-2012-2524 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 and SP3 as well as Office 2010 SP1 that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through malicious Computer Graphics Metafile files. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of CGM file formats within the Office suite, exploiting weaknesses in how these applications parse and process graphical data. The flaw exists in the Office application's graphics processing engine which fails to properly validate input parameters when processing malformed CGM files, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code or trigger system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or any method that delivers a crafted CGM file to a victim's system.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read classification, where the Office application reads memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries when processing CGM files. The flaw manifests as improper memory management during the parsing of graphics metafile structures, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. Attackers can craft specially formatted CGM files that, when opened by vulnerable Office versions, cause the application to access invalid memory addresses, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level rather than the operating system level, making it difficult to detect through traditional network-based security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2524 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-on user, potentially allowing for data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability affects organizations using legacy Office versions, particularly those that have not implemented timely security updates, creating persistent exposure windows for targeted attacks. Organizations with extensive Office deployments face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing emails, malicious websites, or compromised documents shared through collaboration platforms. The memory corruption nature of the vulnerability also makes it difficult to predict or prevent through standard input validation measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2524 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the Office graphics processing engine. Organizations should implement comprehensive email filtering solutions that scan for potentially malicious CGM files and other graphic formats that could trigger similar vulnerabilities. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for traffic patterns associated with known exploit signatures for this vulnerability. Additionally, security awareness training programs should educate users about the risks of opening unexpected graphic files and the importance of verifying document sources before opening attachments. Implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted files, combined with regular security assessments to identify vulnerable Office installations, provides layered protection against exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the importance of client-side attack surface reduction and application hardening measures.