CVE-2022-29110 in Excel
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2022
Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2022-29109.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
Microsoft Excel contains a remote code execution vulnerability that arises from improper handling of specially crafted spreadsheet files during the parsing process. This flaw exists in the way Excel processes certain structured data formats and can be exploited when a user opens a maliciously crafted file. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory corruption issues within Excel's spreadsheet parsing engine. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious excel files that contain specially formatted data structures designed to trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption when processed by the application. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Excel across different operating systems and is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through social engineering techniques where users are tricked into opening seemingly legitimate spreadsheet files. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125 which covers out-of-bounds read errors. The attack surface is widened by the fact that Excel files are commonly shared through email attachments, cloud storage services, and collaboration platforms, making exploitation relatively straightforward for threat actors. This vulnerability has been classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2022-29110 requires minimal privileges and can be initiated through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious file sharing platforms. When a user opens the malicious Excel file, the application's parsing routine encounters malformed data structures that cause memory corruption, leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the user's session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered automatically without requiring user interaction beyond opening the file, especially when Excel is configured to automatically open files from trusted locations. The memory corruption occurs in the application's handling of specific formula parsing operations where input validation fails to properly check array bounds or memory allocation limits. This type of vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw because the attacker does not need physical access to the target system, but can exploit the vulnerability through network-based delivery mechanisms. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures, especially when users with elevated privileges open malicious files. Microsoft has addressed this vulnerability through security updates that include enhanced input validation and memory management routines within the Excel application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-29110 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft's security patches and updates to prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement strict email filtering policies to prevent malicious Excel files from reaching user inboxes, particularly those with macros enabled or from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file execution patterns and block known malicious file signatures. User education and awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected Excel files and the importance of verifying file sources before execution. System administrators should disable automatic execution of macros and configure Excel to prompt users before opening potentially malicious files. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and attempts to execute code from spreadsheet files. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can prevent unauthorized Excel versions from running on corporate networks. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify systems that may not have received the necessary security updates. Additionally, organizations should maintain regular backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation attempts, and should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for processing untrusted spreadsheet files. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 should be maintained to ensure comprehensive security posture against this and similar vulnerabilities.