CVE-2013-3156 in Access
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Access 2007 SP3, 2010 SP1 and SP2, and 2013 in Microsoft Office allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted Access file, aka "Access File Format Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2021
The CVE-2013-3156 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting Microsoft Access 2007 SP3, 2010 SP1 and SP2, and 2013 versions within the Microsoft Office suite. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of malformed Access database files during the parsing process, creating a condition where remote attackers can craft malicious files that trigger memory corruption when opened by vulnerable applications. The flaw specifically impacts the way Access processes certain file format structures, leading to potential exploitation through social engineering attacks or malicious file delivery mechanisms. According to CWE-125, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Out-of-bounds Read" where the application reads memory beyond allocated boundaries, while also aligning with CWE-787 which addresses "Out-of-bounds Write" conditions that can occur during buffer manipulation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves attackers creating specially crafted Access database files containing malformed structures that, when processed by vulnerable Access applications, cause memory corruption in the application's heap management system. The vulnerability typically manifests when the application attempts to parse specific field types or record structures within the Access file format, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that can be leveraged for code execution. This memory corruption occurs during the file parsing phase when the application fails to properly validate input data structures before attempting to process them, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through simple file opening operations without requiring complex exploitation techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Microsoft Office applications, as it enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through seemingly legitimate file attachments. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to potentially compromise entire network environments when attackers leverage this vulnerability in phishing campaigns or malicious document delivery. Attackers can exploit this flaw by distributing malicious Access files through email attachments, compromised websites, or other delivery mechanisms, where the mere act of opening the file triggers the memory corruption and potential code execution. The vulnerability's remote nature means that users do not need to be authenticated or have special privileges to be affected, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments with widespread Office usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3156 primarily involve applying Microsoft's official security updates and patches that address the memory corruption handling within Access file parsing routines. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all vulnerable Office installations receive timely updates, while also deploying email filtering solutions to block suspicious Access file attachments. Network-based security controls including intrusion detection systems and application control mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual file processing behaviors. Additionally, implementing user education programs to recognize suspicious email attachments and avoiding opening files from untrusted sources significantly reduces the attack surface. According to ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique, this vulnerability can be mitigated through process isolation and application whitelisting, while T1059 demonstrates that command execution through vulnerable applications can be prevented by restricting file execution permissions and implementing strict access controls on Office applications. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for handling untrusted documents and maintaining regular backups to ensure quick recovery from potential exploitation events.