CVE-2013-3892 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word 2007 SP3 and Office Compatibility Pack SP3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Office document, aka "Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Word 2007 Service Pack 3 and the Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted Office documents. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory structures when processing specific document elements, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user. Such vulnerabilities fall under CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" classifications, which are fundamental memory safety issues that have historically led to numerous exploitation scenarios in Microsoft Office applications. The attack vector typically involves delivering a specially crafted document through email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised documents that appear legitimate to end users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits memory corruption patterns that occur during document parsing operations, specifically when Word processes certain embedded objects or formatting elements within Office documents. Attackers can construct documents that trigger buffer overflows or other memory manipulation conditions that allow them to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially redirecting program execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" and demonstrates how document-based attacks can bypass traditional security controls by leveraging the legitimate application execution environment. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing phase of document processing, where insufficient input validation allows crafted data to corrupt memory structures that control program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access for attackers. Once executed, malicious code can establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware components, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Office documents are frequently exchanged. Organizations with extensive use of Microsoft Office applications face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various delivery mechanisms including phishing campaigns, social engineering, or compromised web content. The vulnerability's remote exploit capability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making it a preferred vector for large-scale attacks that can affect hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues in Word's document processing engine. Organizations should implement comprehensive email filtering and web content protection measures to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious documents, while also establishing strict document review processes for high-risk environments. Network segmentation and privilege separation can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by preventing lateral movement within compromised networks. Security awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected Office documents and the importance of verifying document sources before processing. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and disabling unnecessary Office features can reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments should verify that all systems have been properly updated and configured to prevent exploitation attempts.