CVE-2015-0097 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Excel 2007 SP3, PowerPoint 2007 SP3, Word 2007 SP3, Excel 2010 SP2, PowerPoint 2010 SP2, and Word 2010 SP2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Office document, aka "Microsoft Word Local Zone Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw affecting multiple Microsoft Office 2007 and 2010 products. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of specially crafted Office documents that trigger memory corruption during document parsing operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by enticing victims to open maliciously crafted files that contain malformed data structures designed to overwrite memory locations. The flaw specifically affects the way these Office applications process certain file formats and internal data structures, creating opportunities for code execution at the system level. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of the user's privileges, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the same permissions as the targeted user.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that occur when Office applications parse malformed Office Binary File Format (OBPF) structures. The flaw manifests during the parsing of compound document files, where the application fails to properly validate the structure and size of embedded data elements. This allows attackers to craft Office documents that contain oversized data segments or malformed headers that cause the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and specifically relates to improper input validation during file processing operations. When successful, the exploitation results in arbitrary code execution that can be leveraged to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent access to compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to bypass many traditional security controls and establish footholds within corporate networks. Office applications typically run with the privileges of the current user, meaning successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network. Attackers often combine this vulnerability with social engineering campaigns, using phishing emails containing malicious attachments to deliver the exploit. The vulnerability affects organizations using older Office versions where patch deployment may be delayed, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise environments. Security researchers have documented cases where this vulnerability was used in targeted attacks against government agencies and critical infrastructure organizations, highlighting its real-world operational significance.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Microsoft released security updates that address the memory corruption issues by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation in the Office document parsing routines. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant security patches, particularly for systems running unsupported Office versions. Network security controls such as email filtering, application whitelisting, and endpoint protection solutions can provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive patch management processes. Security professionals should also consider implementing monitoring for suspicious Office document activity and network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for execution through Office applications, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that address both the technical flaw and potential attack vectors.