CVE-2015-2431 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2007 SP3 and 2010 SP2, Live Meeting 2007 Console, Lync 2010, Lync 2010 Attendee, Lync 2013 SP1, and Lync Basic 2013 SP1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Office Graphics Library (OGL) font, aka "Microsoft Office Graphics Component Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2025
This vulnerability resides in the Microsoft Office Graphics Component which processes OGL font files used in various Microsoft Office applications and Lync products. The flaw exists in how the graphics component handles malformed font data during the rendering process, creating a remote code execution vector that can be exploited through maliciously crafted Office Graphics Library files. The vulnerability affects multiple Microsoft products including Office 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Live Meeting 2007 Console, Lync 2010, Lync 2010 Attendee, Lync 2013 SP1, and Lync Basic 2013 SP1, demonstrating the widespread impact across Microsoft's communication and productivity suite. According to CWE-125, this represents an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that occurs when the graphics component fails to properly validate font file structures, allowing attackers to manipulate memory access patterns and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious OGL font file that triggers a buffer overflow or memory corruption condition within the Office Graphics Component. When a user opens or previews an infected document containing this malicious font, the component attempts to render the graphics which leads to memory corruption and potential code execution. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code remotely. The attack typically begins with social engineering tactics such as phishing emails containing infected Office documents or malicious attachments that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2431 is significant for enterprise environments where Microsoft Office and Lync products are widely deployed. Organizations face potential compromise of user systems, lateral movement within networks, and possible data exfiltration if attackers leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access. The vulnerability affects both desktop and server environments since Lync products are commonly used for enterprise communications and collaboration. Security teams must consider the risk of privilege escalation if users have administrative rights on their systems, as exploitation could potentially lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can target users without requiring physical access to the systems, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with mobile workforces or remote access capabilities.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches addressing the vulnerability, as well as implementing defensive measures such as restricting access to Office documents from untrusted sources and disabling automatic preview features for potentially malicious file types. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs, and implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized code. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all Microsoft products, particularly those used in enterprise communication environments where Lync and Office applications are frequently targeted by threat actors. Regular security assessments and user awareness training are essential components of a comprehensive defense strategy against this and similar remote code execution vulnerabilities.