CVE-2026-70325
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 weakness in Microsoft Office PowerPoint's input validation mechanisms that enables unauthorized information disclosure attacks. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate user-supplied data during the processing of presentation files, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the software's handling of malformed or crafted input. Such improper validation typically stems from inadequate sanitization of file formats, particularly those involving embedded objects, macros, or complex multimedia elements that PowerPoint processes during rendering operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog under CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental flaw where applications fail to validate or sanitize input data before processing. This weakness manifests when PowerPoint does not adequately verify the integrity and legitimacy of elements within presentation files, potentially allowing attackers to craft malicious content that triggers unintended behavior during normal operation. The vulnerability typically resides in the parsing components responsible for handling various file formats including pptx, ppsx, and other presentation containers that may contain embedded resources or external references.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability enables local information disclosure attacks where adversaries can potentially extract sensitive data from the target system without requiring remote access or elevated privileges. Attackers may craft specially designed PowerPoint files that, when opened by unsuspecting users, trigger code execution paths within the application that inadvertently expose system information such as file paths, memory contents, or other sensitive data. The attack vector often involves social engineering techniques where users are tricked into opening malicious presentation files through email attachments, shared network drives, or removable media. This type of vulnerability particularly affects organizations where PowerPoint is widely used and where users may not be adequately trained to recognize potentially malicious content.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure to potential escalation pathways that align with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations running affected versions of Microsoft Office are particularly vulnerable as this flaw can be exploited through typical user workflows without requiring specialized attack infrastructure or advanced technical skills from threat actors. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in enterprise environments where PowerPoint files are frequently shared across departments and organizations, increasing the attack surface and potential exposure points for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation controls both at the application level and through administrative policies. Microsoft recommends applying timely security updates and patches as soon as they become available, while organizations should implement email filtering solutions to block suspicious presentation files and establish strict file execution policies that limit the opening of potentially malicious content. Network segmentation and user access controls can help minimize the impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security awareness training for employees can reduce social engineering success rates. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting solutions and monitoring for unusual PowerPoint process behaviors can help detect potential exploitation attempts in real-time environments where this vulnerability may be actively targeted.