CVE-2015-2423 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, Windows 10, Excel 2007 SP3, PowerPoint 2007 SP3, Visio 2007 SP3, Word 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Excel 2010 SP2, PowerPoint 2010 SP2, Visio 2010 SP2, Word 2010 SP2, Excel 2013 SP1, PowerPoint 2013 SP1, Visio 2013 SP1, Word 2013 SP1, Excel 2013 RT SP1, PowerPoint 2013 RT SP1, Visio 2013 RT SP1, Word 2013 RT SP1, and Internet Explorer 7 through 11 allow remote attackers to gain privileges and obtain sensitive information via a crafted command-line parameter to an Office application or Notepad, as demonstrated by a transition from Low Integrity to Medium Integrity, aka "Unsafe Command Line Parameter Passing Vulnerability."
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2022
The CVE-2015-2423 vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting multiple Microsoft operating systems and office applications. This vulnerability stems from unsafe command line parameter handling within Microsoft Office applications and Notepad, creating a pathway for attackers to elevate their privileges from low integrity to medium integrity levels. The flaw specifically manifests when these applications process crafted command line parameters, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the execution environment and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability impacts a broad range of Microsoft products spanning from Windows Vista through Windows 10, including various Office 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 versions, as well as Internet Explorer versions 7 through 11.
This vulnerability operates through a command line parameter passing mechanism that fails to properly validate input from external sources. When an Office application or Notepad processes command line arguments, the system does not adequately sanitize these inputs, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious parameters. The flaw specifically enables attackers to perform privilege escalation by manipulating how command line parameters are processed during application startup or execution. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning as it allows for a transition from low integrity to medium integrity levels, which provides attackers with increased system access and the ability to perform actions that would otherwise be restricted. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application."
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2423 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold that can be leveraged for further system compromise. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious command line parameters that, when processed by vulnerable applications, result in elevated privileges. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open malicious documents or execute crafted commands, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to sensitive corporate data or system resources. The vulnerability's widespread impact across multiple Microsoft products means that organizations with diverse software ecosystems are at risk, requiring comprehensive patch management strategies to address the issue effectively.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including prompt application of Microsoft security patches, which address the underlying command line parameter handling issues in affected applications. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially malicious command line parameters and monitor for unusual command line argument patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, while regular security audits should verify that all affected systems have been properly patched. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue makes it particularly attractive to attackers, as it provides a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, making prompt remediation essential for maintaining system integrity and protecting sensitive information assets.