CVE-2017-8742 in PowerPoint
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 Service Pack 3, Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Service Pack 2, Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 Service Pack 1, Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 RT Service Pack 1, Microsoft PowerPoint 2016, Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer 2007, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Service Pack 1, Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise Server 2016, Microsoft Office Web Apps 2010 Service Pack 2, and Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 3 when they fail to properly handle objects in memory, aka "PowerPoint Remote Code Execution Vulnerability". This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-8743.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Microsoft PowerPoint and related applications that stems from improper handling of memory objects during document processing. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Office products including PowerPoint 2007 through 2016, SharePoint Server 2013 and 2016, Office Web Apps 2010, and the Office Compatibility Pack. The technical root cause involves memory corruption issues that occur when PowerPoint processes specially crafted malicious files, particularly those containing malformed objects that trigger buffer overflows or other memory management errors during document rendering and parsing operations. This weakness allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the user running the affected application, making it a severe threat vector for enterprise environments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of remote services. Attackers can leverage this flaw by delivering malicious PowerPoint files through various attack vectors including email attachments, compromised websites, or malicious documents hosted on SharePoint servers. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to enterprise environments where SharePoint servers may serve as attack vectors for lateral movement. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction with malicious documents, typically through social engineering tactics where users open infected PowerPoint files. Microsoft has categorized this vulnerability as a remote code execution threat that can result in complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation. The affected products share common memory management routines that fail to validate input data properly, particularly when processing complex Office document structures. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks in document processing applications that must handle complex binary formats while maintaining memory safety. Organizations running these affected versions face significant exposure as the flaw can be exploited without requiring user credentials, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. The vulnerability's presence in SharePoint Server components amplifies the risk as these servers often serve as central repositories for organizational documents, creating potential attack paths for lateral movement within networks. Security researchers have noted that the exploitation typically involves crafting specific Office document structures that trigger memory corruption during the parsing process, which then allows attackers to inject and execute malicious code. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution issue places it within the high-risk category of cybersecurity threats, requiring immediate remediation through patch management processes. This flaw highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for Office applications and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Organizations should consider deploying additional security controls such as email filtering, application whitelisting, and monitoring for suspicious document access patterns to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability's exploitation potential makes it a target for advanced persistent threat groups seeking to establish footholds within enterprise networks, particularly in environments where users regularly open documents from external sources or untrusted networks. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment, user education regarding suspicious document handling, and implementation of security policies that restrict document processing capabilities in high-risk environments. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Microsoft Office products underscores the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address the full Microsoft Office ecosystem rather than individual applications. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual network connections or file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The technical nature of this vulnerability also demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex document processing applications that must balance functionality with security requirements. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected systems and implementing layered security approaches to protect against similar vulnerabilities in the future.