CVE-2017-8630 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Office 2016 allows a remote code execution vulnerability when it fails to properly handle objects in memory, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8631, CVE-2017-8632, and CVE-2017-8744.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The Microsoft Office 2016 memory corruption vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw that exploits improper handling of objects in memory during document processing operations. This vulnerability specifically affects Microsoft Office 2016 applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint when they encounter malformed or specially crafted documents. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or validate object references within document structures, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through routine document opening operations, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. According to CWE-125, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Out-of-bounds Read" where applications access memory locations beyond their allocated bounds, while also aligning with CWE-787 which addresses "Out-of-bounds Write" conditions that can occur during memory corruption scenarios.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-8630 typically involves crafting malicious Office documents that contain specially formatted objects designed to trigger memory corruption during parsing operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by embedding malformed data structures within Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or PowerPoint presentations that, when opened by vulnerable Office applications, cause memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability manifests when Office applications attempt to process these malformed objects without proper boundary checks, allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the victim user. This type of exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes "Exploitation for Client Execution" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers often use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious macros or shellcode execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant security risks including data exfiltration, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running Microsoft Office 2016 are particularly vulnerable as the flaw affects widely deployed applications that users frequently interact with, creating numerous attack vectors through email attachments, document sharing, and web-based Office applications. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to target systems, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where document sharing is common. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and document sharing platforms, with the potential for privilege escalation depending on the user context in which the malicious document is opened.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8630 should encompass both immediate patching and defensive measures to reduce attack surface. Microsoft released security updates addressing this vulnerability through regular security patches, and organizations should prioritize applying these updates immediately to protect their systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict document handling policies that restrict opening of unknown or untrusted documents, deploying email filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious attachments, and configuring Office applications to disable macro execution by default. Network-based defenses such as intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls can also help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. According to industry best practices and security frameworks, organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies, regularly monitor for suspicious document activity, and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.