CVE-2014-2778 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word 2007 SP3 and Office Compatibility Pack SP3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted embedded font in a (1) .doc or (2) .docx document, aka "Embedded Font Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The CVE-2014-2778 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Word 2007 SP3 and the Office Compatibility Pack SP3 that enables remote code execution or denial of service through maliciously crafted embedded fonts within document files. This vulnerability specifically affects the processing of embedded font data within .doc and .docx document formats, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing is common. The flaw resides in how Microsoft Word handles font embedding mechanisms during document parsing, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit memory handling routines and potentially gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the font processing subsystem of Microsoft Office applications. When a user opens a maliciously crafted document containing embedded fonts, the application's font rendering engine fails to properly validate font data structures, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires the victim to open a specially crafted document, making social engineering a critical component of exploitation strategies.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Microsoft Office for document processing, as it can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers can target users without requiring physical access to systems, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where document collaboration is frequent. The potential for denial of service operations can disrupt business continuity, while the remote code execution capability provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems, potentially enabling lateral movement and data exfiltration. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1059, which covers Command and Scripting Interpreter.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patching of affected Microsoft Office versions, deployment of email filtering solutions to block suspicious document attachments, and user education programs to reduce social engineering risks. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional protection by limiting the attack surface and preventing unauthorized code execution. Security monitoring should focus on document opening activities and unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that mitigation measures remain effective against evolving attack techniques. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing comprehensive security awareness training to protect against sophisticated attack campaigns targeting document processing applications.