CVE-2017-11882 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 3, Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1, and Microsoft Office 2016 allow an attacker to run arbitrary code in the context of the current user by failing to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11884.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11882 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting multiple versions of Microsoft Office including Office 2007 SP3, Office 2010 SP2, Office 2013 SP1, and Office 2016. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability type, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests when Microsoft Office applications fail to properly validate and handle objects in memory, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the memory handling mechanisms through crafted malicious documents. This particular vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2017-11884 and represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where Office applications are widely deployed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted Office document that triggers memory corruption during the processing of specific object types. When a user opens such a malicious document, the Office application's memory management routines become compromised, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-on user. The exploitation typically involves manipulating the application's handling of OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) objects or other embedded content within Office documents, causing the application to access memory locations outside the intended boundaries. This memory corruption can lead to stack overflow conditions, heap corruption, or other memory management failures that attackers can leverage to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11882 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within targeted environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through social engineering campaigns where users unknowingly open malicious Office documents, often delivered via email attachments or compromised websites. Once exploited, the attacker can escalate privileges, establish persistence mechanisms, and move laterally within the network, making this vulnerability a prime target for advanced persistent threat campaigns. The vulnerability's ability to execute code in the context of the current user means that attackers can potentially access sensitive data, modify files, or establish backdoors without requiring administrative privileges, though they may need to escalate further for broader system access.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2017-11882. The primary mitigation strategy involves applying the relevant security updates and patches provided by Microsoft as part of their regular security bulletins, which specifically address the memory handling flaws in affected Office versions. Additionally, implementing strict email filtering and content inspection mechanisms can help prevent malicious Office documents from reaching end users. Network segmentation and privileged access controls can limit the potential damage if exploitation occurs, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious email attachments and links. Security teams should also consider implementing application control solutions that restrict the execution of Office applications in potentially untrusted environments, and regularly monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability across their networks.