Microsoft Publisher 2003/2007 Publisher File pubconv.dll memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Publisher 2003/2007. This issue affects some unknown processing in the library pubconv.dll of the component Publisher File Handler. The manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2014-1759. No exploit exists. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Publisher 2003/2007 (Image Processing Software). Affected is an unknown function in the library pubconv.dll of the component Publisher File Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

pubconv.dll in Microsoft Publisher 2003 SP3 and 2007 SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (incorrect pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted .pub file, aka "Arbitrary Pointer Dereference Vulnerability."

The weakness was disclosed 04/08/2014 by iDefense Labs with VeriSign iDefense Labs as MS14-020 as confirmed bulletin (Technet) via iDefense. The advisory is shared for download at technet.microsoft.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2014-1759 since 01/29/2014. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 73417 (MS14-020: Vulnerability in Microsoft Publisher Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2950145)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows : Microsoft Bulletins. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 110234 (Microsoft Publisher Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (MS14-020)).

Applying the patch MS14-020 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at technet.microsoft.com. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (92035), Tenable (73417), SecurityFocus (BID 66622†), Secunia (SA57652†) and SecurityTracker (ID 1030033†). Further details are available at blog.spiderlabs.com. The entries VDB-12851, VDB-12850, VDB-12849 and VDB-12848 are pretty similar. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.7

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 8.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Unproven

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Nessus ID: 73417
Nessus Name: MS14-020: Vulnerability in Microsoft Publisher Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2950145)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 804422
OpenVAS Name: Microsoft Office Publisher Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (2950145)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

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Patch: MS14-020

Timelineinfo

01/29/2014 🔍
04/08/2014 +69 days 🔍
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04/09/2014 +1 days 🔍
04/09/2014 +0 days 🔍
05/10/2026 +4414 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Advisory: MS14-020
Researcher: iDefense Labs
Organization: VeriSign iDefense Labs
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2014-1759 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2014-1759
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-12852

OVAL: 🔍
IAVM: 🔍

X-Force: 92035 - Microsoft Publisher memory code execution, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 66622 - Microsoft Publisher CVE-2014-1759 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Secunia: 57652 - Microsoft Office Publisher Converter Pointer Dereference Vulnerability, Highly Critical
SecurityTracker: 1030033 - Microsoft Publisher 'pubconv.dll' Pointer Dereference Bug Lets Remote Users Execute Arbitrary Code
Vulnerability Center: 43954 - [MS14-020] Microsoft Publisher Remote Code Execution and DoS via Crafted .pub File due to Arbitrary Pointer Dereference Vulnerability, Medium

Misc.: 🔍
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Entryinfo

Created: 04/09/2014 14:19
Updated: 05/10/2026 03:30
Changes: 04/09/2014 14:19 (85), 05/24/2017 11:37 (11), 06/16/2021 18:17 (2), 12/20/2024 05:01 (16), 05/10/2026 03:30 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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