CVE-2023-28295 in Publisher
Summary
by MITRE • 06/17/2023
Microsoft Publisher Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2026
This vulnerability exists in Microsoft Publisher software that allows remote code execution when a maliciously crafted file is opened by an unsuspecting user. The flaw occurs due to insufficient validation of user-supplied data within the application's file parsing mechanisms, specifically affecting how Publisher handles certain embedded objects and metadata structures. Attackers can craft specially formatted publisher files that trigger memory corruption issues when processed by the vulnerable application. The vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization and lacks adequate bounds checking during file interpretation, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves heap-based buffer overflows or stack corruption scenarios that occur when Publisher attempts to parse malformed embedded content within document files. When a user opens an attacker-controlled publisher document, the application's parsing engine fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute malicious code with the privileges of the victim user. This type of vulnerability typically maps to CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow or CWE-122 stack-based buffer overflow classifications within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The exploitation requires social engineering to convince users to open malicious files, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter such files through email attachments or document sharing platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable broader network infiltration and lateral movement activities. Once executed, malicious code can establish persistence mechanisms within the compromised system while maintaining access to sensitive corporate data. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability often employ techniques aligned with the ATT&CK framework's execution and persistence categories, using the compromised Publisher instance as a foothold for additional attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Microsoft Publisher across different operating systems, including Windows desktop environments where the application is commonly installed. Organizations running unpatched versions face significant risk of data breaches, especially in environments where document sharing occurs frequently between internal and external parties.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's regular security updates and ensure comprehensive testing before widespread rollout to avoid disrupting business operations. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies and consider disabling Publisher file handling capabilities where not essential for business functions. Network segmentation and application whitelisting solutions can provide additional defense layers by restricting execution of potentially malicious files. Security teams should monitor for suspicious file access patterns and implement endpoint detection and response solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing help identify systems running vulnerable versions while ensuring proper security configurations are maintained across all Microsoft Publisher installations within the organization's infrastructure.