CVE-2015-0065 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word 2007 SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted Office document, aka "OneTableDocumentStream Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0065 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Word 2007 Service Pack 3 that enables attackers to compromise systems through maliciously crafted Office documents. This vulnerability specifically affects the OneTableDocumentStream component within the Word processing engine, which handles table-related data structures in office documents. The flaw stems from improper memory handling when processing malformed table data structures, creating conditions where attacker-controlled input can trigger memory corruption that leads to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires user interaction through opening a malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where social engineering can be employed to deliver the payload.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and memory management within Microsoft Word's document parsing routines. When Word encounters a specially crafted Office document containing malformed OneTableDocumentStream data, the application fails to properly validate the structure and size parameters of table elements before attempting to process them. This lack of proper bounds checking and memory allocation validation creates a classic buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing execution of malicious code at the privilege level of the Word application. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that aligns with CWE-121, which describes unsafe use of a buffer, and represents a variant of heap-based buffer overflow conditions that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and inadequate memory safety mechanisms in the document processing pipeline.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0065 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. Successful exploitation can result in complete system takeover where attackers gain the ability to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the victim environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects Microsoft Word 2007 SP3, which was widely deployed in enterprise environments and often used for document sharing and collaboration. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can exploit it through various delivery mechanisms including email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised documents shared via collaboration platforms. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1204.002 demonstrates its potential for execution through legitimate user interaction, making it a significant threat vector in targeted attacks where the attacker can manipulate the user into opening a malicious document. The memory corruption aspect also means that even if exploitation fails, the system may crash or become unstable, creating a denial of service condition that can disrupt business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0065 should prioritize immediate patch management through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying memory handling issues in the OneTableDocumentStream processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive email filtering and document inspection systems that can identify and block suspicious Office documents before they reach end users. Network-based security controls including intrusion detection systems and web proxies should be configured to monitor for known malicious document patterns and prevent access to compromised content. User education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of not opening unexpected email attachments or documents from untrusted sources, as this vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of potentially vulnerable applications and enforce the use of more secure document formats. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential attack vectors within the organization's document processing workflows, ensuring that the mitigation measures remain effective against evolving threat landscapes.