CVE-2012-2539 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2 and SP3, and 2010 SP1; Word Viewer; Office Compatibility Pack SP2 and SP3; and Office Web Apps 2010 SP1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via crafted RTF data, aka "Word RTF 'listoverridecount' Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2539 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Word and related Office applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of Rich Text Format (RTF) data within the Microsoft Office suite, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw exists in the RTF parser component that processes formatted text documents, making it particularly dangerous as RTF files are commonly used for document exchange across different platforms and applications. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Word 2003 SP3, Word 2007 SP2 and SP3, Word 2010 SP1, Word Viewer, Office Compatibility Pack SP2 and SP3, and Office Web Apps 2010 SP1, demonstrating the widespread impact across the Microsoft Office ecosystem.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper memory handling within the RTF processing engine of Microsoft Word applications. When the vulnerable software encounters crafted RTF data containing maliciously constructed listoverridecount parameters, the application fails to properly validate the input before processing it in memory. This leads to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations and ultimately execute attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the logged-on user. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the parsing of RTF documents where the listoverridecount field is improperly handled, creating buffer overflow conditions that allow for arbitrary code execution. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability maps to a classic heap-based buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking occurs during memory allocation and data processing. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability can also result in denial of service conditions, where the application crashes or becomes unresponsive due to corrupted memory structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2539 is significant across enterprise environments where Microsoft Office applications are widely deployed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through social engineering techniques by sending malicious RTF attachments via email, exploiting the trust users place in document files. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that successful exploitation does not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in corporate networks. Organizations using Office Web Apps 2010 SP1 are especially vulnerable as these applications are commonly used for document sharing and collaboration, increasing the attack surface. The vulnerability can be exploited in both targeted attacks against specific individuals and mass campaigns, as RTF files are frequently used in phishing attacks and malware distribution. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The attack chain typically involves crafting a malicious RTF file, delivering it through email or other means, and persuading users to open the document, which triggers the exploitation process.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2539 should focus on both immediate patch deployment and operational security measures. Microsoft released security updates that address this vulnerability, and organizations must prioritize applying these patches across all affected Office versions. In addition to patching, organizations should implement email filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious RTF attachments, particularly those with suspicious formatting or embedded objects. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the potential impact if exploitation occurs, limiting the attacker's ability to move laterally within the network. Security awareness training for users should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected document attachments, especially from unknown sources. Organizations should also consider disabling RTF file processing in web-based Office applications where possible, and implementing sandboxing techniques for document processing. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how legacy Office applications remain susceptible to exploitation, particularly in environments where patch deployment is delayed or incomplete.