CVE-2014-1759 in Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
pubconv.dll in Microsoft Publisher 2003 SP3 and 2007 SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (incorrect pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted .pub file, aka "Arbitrary Pointer Dereference Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1759 represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft Publisher 2003 SP3 and 2007 SP3 applications, specifically targeting the pubconv.dll component. This issue manifests as an arbitrary pointer dereference vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers through the careful crafting of malicious .pub files. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management practices within the document conversion library, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate memory pointers and execute unauthorized code or trigger application crashes. The flaw exists in the way the application processes certain document structures, particularly those involving complex formatting or embedded objects that are processed through the pubconv.dll module.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted .pub file is opened or processed by the vulnerable Publisher application. The crafted file contains malformed data structures that cause the pubconv.dll library to attempt to access memory locations that are either invalid or unauthorized. This incorrect pointer dereference results in unpredictable application behavior, ranging from immediate application crashes to more severe scenarios where the attacker can inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the user's session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through automated means, allowing attackers to deliver malicious payloads through email attachments or web downloads without requiring user interaction beyond opening the document.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable full system compromise. The arbitrary code execution capability means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects Microsoft Publisher 2003 SP3 and 2007 SP3 versions, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments, making the potential attack surface substantial. Organizations running these older versions of Microsoft Office products face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised documents shared through collaboration platforms. The flaw aligns with CWE-476, which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and represents a classic example of how memory safety issues in legacy software can create persistent security risks.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1759 primarily focus on immediate remediation through Microsoft's security updates and patches. Organizations should prioritize applying the official Microsoft security patches that address this specific vulnerability in their Publisher installations. Additionally, implementing defensive measures such as email filtering rules that block .pub file attachments, disabling automatic document processing in web browsers, and restricting user permissions for document handling can significantly reduce exposure risk. Network-based protections including intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor for suspicious document-related traffic patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted Publisher files and regularly audit document handling procedures to identify potential attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and the risks associated with running legacy software versions in enterprise environments, particularly given the ATT&CK framework's categorization of such vulnerabilities under privilege escalation and code execution techniques.