CVE-2016-0127 in Word
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Word 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Word 2010 SP2, Word 2013 SP1, Word 2013 RT SP1, Office Compatibility Pack SP3, Word Viewer, Word Automation Services on SharePoint Server 2010 SP2, Word Automation Services on SharePoint Server 2013 SP1, Office Web Apps 2010 SP2, and Office Web Apps Server 2013 SP1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Office document, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Office applications that affects multiple versions including Word 2007 through 2013 along with various compatibility packs and automation services. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of specially crafted Office documents that trigger memory corruption during document processing, creating opportunities for remote code execution attacks. The flaw exists in the way these applications parse and handle specific file structures within Office documents, particularly when processing malformed or malicious content that exceeds expected memory boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where applications access memory locations beyond allocated boundaries. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious Office documents containing malformed data structures that cause the application to read or write beyond intended memory regions. When Word or related Office components process these documents, the corrupted memory access can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application. This typically occurs during document parsing operations where the application fails to properly validate input data structures before processing them, creating a pathway for attackers to inject and execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass broader security implications for enterprise environments. Organizations running affected Office versions face significant risk as attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and document sharing platforms. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple Office versions and services means that even organizations with mixed Office environments are at risk. Attackers can potentially escalate privileges and gain persistent access to systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where Office applications are frequently used for document processing and collaboration.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, with Microsoft releasing security updates that address the memory corruption handling in affected applications. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies including sandboxing mechanisms for document processing, email filtering to block suspicious Office documents, and network segmentation to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs. The implementation of application control measures such as software restriction policies or AppLocker can prevent execution of untrusted Office documents. Additionally, user education regarding phishing awareness and safe document handling practices remains crucial, as social engineering often accompanies these attacks to deliver malicious documents to unsuspecting users. Security teams should also consider monitoring for unusual document processing activities and implementing automated threat detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts.