CVE-2015-2466 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, 2010 SP2, 2013 SP1, and 2013 RT SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted template, aka "Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2466 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Office versions 2007 SP3, 2010 SP2, 2013 SP1, and 2013 RT SP1. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of template files within the Office application suite, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems. The flaw specifically affects the template processing mechanism that Office employs when loading and rendering template files, which are commonly used to standardize document formatting and structure across organizations. Attackers can craft specially designed template files that, when opened by an affected Office version, trigger the execution of malicious code without requiring user interaction beyond the initial template opening.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient validation and sanitization of template file contents during the parsing process. When Office applications process template files, they fail to properly validate the structure and content of these files, allowing crafted malicious elements to bypass security checks and execute within the application context. This vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and also relates to CWE-78, concerning improper neutralization of special elements used in OS command construction. The flaw operates by exploiting the template loading subsystem where Office applications attempt to parse and apply formatting from template files, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the user running the Office application.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2466 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems through the Office application. Once successfully exploited, attackers can establish backdoors, escalate privileges, and deploy additional malware without requiring additional attack vectors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Office templates are commonly shared and used across multiple users, creating a potential attack surface that can be leveraged for widespread compromise. Organizations utilizing these affected Office versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks, as the vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious documents shared through collaboration platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2466 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Office versions to the latest security updates provided by Microsoft. Organizations should implement strict template file validation policies, including disabling template loading from untrusted sources and implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of unauthorized template files. Network-based defenses should include filtering of suspicious template file types at network boundaries and implementing email security controls that scan for malicious template content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002, which describes legitimate user execution through template injection, making it particularly challenging to detect through traditional security measures. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security awareness training to educate users about the risks of opening untrusted template files and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged for both initial compromise and persistent access within targeted environments.