CVE-2026-70320
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2026
Improper input validation in Microsoft Office PowerPoint allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information locally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical flaw in Microsoft Office PowerPoint's input validation mechanisms that enables unauthorized attackers to achieve local information disclosure through malformed input processing. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data when PowerPoint processes presentation files, particularly those containing embedded objects or complex formatting elements. Attackers can craft specially designed PowerPoint files that trigger improper handling of input data during file parsing, leading to unintended information leakage from the target system. This weakness falls under the broader category of input validation flaws that are commonly classified as CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The technical execution of this vulnerability typically involves crafting malicious PowerPoint presentation files containing specially formatted elements that cause PowerPoint to improperly handle memory operations or data structures during file processing. When a user opens such a crafted file, the application's input validation fails to properly sanitize or reject malformed data, potentially leading to information disclosure through various mechanisms including memory dumps, registry access, or file system enumeration. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires local execution context since it involves file processing rather than remote network exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored locally on compromised systems. The disclosed information could include but is not limited to user credentials, system configuration details, network settings, or other potentially sensitive data that might be accessible through the application's memory structures during processing of malformed input. This type of local information disclosure can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft's security patches and updates to address the vulnerability in PowerPoint applications. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PowerPoint files, particularly those received through email attachments or downloaded from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous file processing behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding safe file handling practices and the importance of only opening presentation files from trusted sources remains crucial for reducing attack surface and preventing successful exploitation of this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables unauthorized access to system information that can be leveraged for further compromise.