CVE-2025-53740 in Office
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2025
Use after free in Microsoft Office allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in Microsoft Office applications that creates a remote code execution vector for unauthorized attackers. The flaw occurs when the application improperly handles memory management during specific document processing operations, leading to a scenario where freed memory regions are still accessed by subsequent code execution paths. This memory corruption issue manifests when Office processes maliciously crafted documents that trigger the vulnerable code path, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user. The vulnerability affects multiple Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, making it particularly dangerous due to the widespread use of these applications in enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic use-after-free pattern where an object is deallocated from memory but references to that object persist in the application's memory space. When the application attempts to access these freed references, it can result in memory corruption that attackers can exploit to redirect execution flow. The flaw typically occurs during document parsing operations where Office handles complex embedded objects or rich text formatting elements. Attackers can craft malicious documents that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, trigger the memory management error and provide a foothold for code execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software applications, and represents a significant concern for organizations relying on Microsoft Office for daily operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems through various attack vectors. Once successfully exploited, the malicious code can perform actions such as installing additional malware, establishing backdoors, exfiltrating sensitive data, or creating covert communication channels with command and control servers. The local execution nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can leverage it in phishing campaigns where victims open malicious documents, or through compromised network shares where Office applications automatically process documents. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who can deploy it in targeted campaigns or broader exploitation efforts. The attack surface is significantly expanded by the fact that many organizations have Office applications installed on systems with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access levels.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Microsoft, which address the memory management issues in the affected Office applications. Network segmentation and email filtering solutions should be enhanced to prevent users from inadvertently opening malicious documents, particularly in high-risk environments. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can help restrict execution of unauthorized code, while regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected attachments. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual memory access patterns or unexpected process creation. Additional protective measures include disabling automatic document opening features, implementing strict macro security policies, and maintaining regular backups to ensure rapid recovery from potential compromise scenarios. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing layered security controls to protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques.