CVE-2024-49031 in Office
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2024
Microsoft Office Graphics Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Office applications that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems through specially crafted graphics files. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the graphics processing components of Office applications, particularly when handling malformed or maliciously constructed image formats such as emf, wmf, or other vector graphics. Attackers can exploit this weakness by embedding malicious code within seemingly benign graphics files that are opened by vulnerable Office applications, bypassing traditional security controls and executing malicious payloads directly in the context of the user's privileges. The flaw specifically affects Microsoft Office 2016, Office 2019, Office 2021, and Office 365 versions, making it a widespread concern across enterprise environments where these applications are commonly deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption issues that occur during the parsing of graphics elements within Office documents. When a user opens a maliciously crafted document containing specially constructed graphics, the Office application's graphics rendering engine fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to buffer overflows or arbitrary code execution. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes unsafe array access patterns in memory management, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability can be leveraged through multiple attack vectors including email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised documents shared via collaboration platforms, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open external documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise and potential lateral movement within networks. Successful exploitation allows attackers to establish persistent access to victim systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, credential theft, or deployment of additional malware payloads. Security researchers have observed this vulnerability being actively exploited in the wild through spearphishing campaigns targeting high-value corporate assets, with threat actors employing social engineering techniques to convince users to open malicious documents containing the crafted graphics. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 for "User Execution: Malicious File" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," demonstrating how the initial exploitation can serve as a foothold for broader compromise activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including deploying Microsoft security patches and updates to address the vulnerability, enforcing strict email filtering and sandboxing of suspicious attachments, and implementing application control policies that restrict execution of Office applications from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual file access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts, while user education programs should emphasize safe document handling practices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how graphics processing components can serve as attack surfaces requiring careful attention in enterprise security frameworks. Regular security assessments of Office application usage patterns and implementation of least privilege principles can significantly reduce the risk exposure associated with this class of vulnerabilities.