CVE-2016-7289 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Publisher 2010 SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted document, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7289 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Publisher 2010 Service Pack 2 that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through maliciously crafted documents. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have plagued Microsoft Office applications for years, with the specific flaw manifesting when the application processes malformed or specially crafted Publisher files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the memory management level, where improper handling of data structures can lead to unpredictable behavior and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper validation of input data within Publisher's document parsing routines, specifically when handling certain file format elements or embedded objects. When a user opens a maliciously crafted Publisher document, the application's memory management system becomes corrupted due to insufficient bounds checking or improper memory allocation handling. This memory corruption can occur during the parsing of complex document elements such as embedded graphics, tables, or formatting instructions that exceed expected data boundaries. The flaw is categorized as a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue under the CWE taxonomy, specifically mapping to CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" or similar memory management vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit this by crafting documents that trigger specific memory access patterns which cause the application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the user's privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it represents a significant threat vector for enterprise environments where Microsoft Publisher is widely deployed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various delivery mechanisms including email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised documents shared through collaboration platforms. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the logged-on user, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users need not be technically savvy to fall victim, as simply opening a malicious document can trigger the exploit. This aligns with the tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" technique, where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in software applications to execute malicious code on target systems.
Organizations facing this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Microsoft security updates and patches, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in Publisher's document processing engine. Network segmentation and email filtering solutions can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious document attachments before they reach end users. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires user interaction, making user awareness training essential for preventing successful attacks. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted Publisher documents, particularly in high-value environments. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability, as it represents a common target for automated exploitation tools. The remediation approach should align with Microsoft's recommended security practices for Office applications and follow industry standards for vulnerability management and patch deployment. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious document processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.