CVE-2015-0064 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Word 2010 SP2, Word Automation Services in SharePoint Server 2010, Web Applications 2010 SP2, Word Viewer, and Office Compatibility Pack SP3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted Office document, aka "Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0064 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting multiple Microsoft Office products including Word 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Word 2010 SP2, Word Automation Services in SharePoint Server 2010, Web Applications 2010 SP2, Word Viewer, and Office Compatibility Pack SP3. This vulnerability operates through memory corruption mechanisms that can be triggered by specially crafted Office documents, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document processing is common. The flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, which are often classified as CWE-121, CWE-122, or CWE-125 depending on the specific memory handling issue, and represents a significant threat to information security systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Microsoft Word processes a maliciously crafted Office document that contains malformed data structures or buffer overflows that cause memory corruption in the application's memory management systems. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the affected Office application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the parsing and rendering components of Microsoft Office applications, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious code through carefully constructed document elements. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploit public-facing application.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0064 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential denial of service scenarios that can disrupt business operations and productivity. Organizations utilizing affected Office versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise when users open malicious documents. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple Office products means that organizations cannot simply patch one application to resolve the issue, requiring comprehensive patch management across their entire Microsoft Office ecosystem. Network administrators must implement additional security controls such as email filtering, document validation, and user awareness training to mitigate the risk while awaiting patches. The vulnerability's potential for remote exploitation without user interaction makes it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited network segmentation or insufficient endpoint protection measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0064 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, as well as implementation of defensive measures such as restricting user permissions, enabling Protected View mode, and deploying application whitelisting solutions. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious Office documents, along with regular security assessments to identify potentially vulnerable systems. The vulnerability's classification as a critical remote code execution flaw means that organizations should treat it with the highest priority in their vulnerability management programs. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior associated with exploitation attempts can provide early warning capabilities. Regular security awareness training for end users remains crucial as social engineering attacks often leverage these vulnerabilities through phishing campaigns delivering malicious Office documents. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive incident response procedures that account for the potential compromise of systems through this vulnerability, ensuring they can quickly identify and contain any exploitation attempts.