CVE-2017-0199 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, Microsoft Office 2010 SP2, Microsoft Office 2013 SP1, Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted document, aka "Microsoft Office/WordPad Remote Code Execution Vulnerability w/Windows API."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0199 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Office and Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacts Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Office 2013 SP1, Office 2016, as well as various Windows versions including Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows 7 SP1, and Windows 8.1. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems through the careful crafting of malicious documents, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how Microsoft Office and WordPad handle certain ActiveX controls and embedded objects within Office documents. When a user opens a maliciously crafted document, the Office application attempts to process embedded content that triggers a buffer overflow or memory corruption condition. This flaw specifically relates to the Windows API handling within the Office application, where insufficient validation of user-supplied data leads to unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors. These weaknesses in input validation and memory management create an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-0199 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a powerful foothold for further compromise within network environments. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally through the network using the compromised system as a launch point. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a malicious document, making it susceptible to phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), demonstrating the comprehensive attack surface this flaw presents. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Office versions and Windows operating systems creates widespread exposure across enterprise environments, with many organizations still running older, unsupported versions that lack proper security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0199 require immediate action including the deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in Office applications. Organizations should implement comprehensive email filtering solutions to block suspicious documents and attachments, while also enforcing strict document handling policies that prevent automatic execution of embedded content. Network segmentation and privileged access controls can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, ensuring that even if one system is compromised, attackers cannot easily move laterally through the network. Additionally, security awareness training for end users helps reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability. The implementation of application whitelisting policies and disabling unnecessary ActiveX controls further reduces the attack surface. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Office or Windows that may require immediate remediation. Security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual network connections or process execution patterns. The vulnerability's classification as a critical threat by multiple security organizations underscores the urgency of implementing these defensive measures across all affected systems.