CVE-2015-2557 in Visio
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Microsoft Visio 2007 SP3 and 2010 SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted UML data in an Office document, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2557 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Microsoft Visio 2007 SP3 and Visio 2010 SP2 applications. This memory corruption vulnerability specifically manifests when processing crafted Universal Modeling Language data embedded within Office documents, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The flaw resides in how Visio handles UML data structures during document parsing, where insufficient input validation leads to improper memory allocation and handling. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability falls under the category of stack-based buffer overflow, where malicious data exceeds the allocated buffer space and overwrites adjacent memory locations. The attack vector leverages Office document formats that contain specially crafted UML elements, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard document opening procedures without requiring specialized knowledge of the underlying exploit mechanics.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2557 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that users need not be physically present at the target system, as the attack can be delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or other network-based delivery mechanisms. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the use of malicious documents to gain initial access to target systems. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Visio for diagramming and modeling tasks, particularly those that open untrusted documents from external sources, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors targeting enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2557 must address both immediate protection and long-term security posture improvements. Microsoft released patches for this vulnerability through regular security updates, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected Visio installations. Network segmentation and email filtering solutions can provide additional defense layers by blocking suspicious Office document attachments before they reach end users. Implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted Visio documents can significantly reduce exploitation risk. Security awareness training for employees should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown Office documents, particularly those containing diagramming or modeling elements. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts and monitor for unusual Visio process behavior. Given the nature of the vulnerability, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include checks for outdated Visio versions and proper patch management procedures to ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in the future.