Vulnerabilities > CVE-2012-2550 - Buffer Errors vulnerability in Microsoft Works 9.0

047910
CVSS 9.3 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
MEDIUM
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
COMPLETE
Integrity impact
COMPLETE
Availability impact
COMPLETE
network
microsoft
CWE-119
critical
nessus

Summary

Microsoft Works 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) via a crafted Word .doc file, aka "Works Heap Vulnerability."

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Microsoft
1

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Buffer Overflow via Environment Variables
    This attack pattern involves causing a buffer overflow through manipulation of environment variables. Once the attacker finds that they can modify an environment variable, they may try to overflow associated buffers. This attack leverages implicit trust often placed in environment variables.
  • Overflow Buffers
    Buffer Overflow attacks target improper or missing bounds checking on buffer operations, typically triggered by input injected by an attacker. As a consequence, an attacker is able to write past the boundaries of allocated buffer regions in memory, causing a program crash or potentially redirection of execution as per the attackers' choice.
  • Client-side Injection-induced Buffer Overflow
    This type of attack exploits a buffer overflow vulnerability in targeted client software through injection of malicious content from a custom-built hostile service.
  • Filter Failure through Buffer Overflow
    In this attack, the idea is to cause an active filter to fail by causing an oversized transaction. An attacker may try to feed overly long input strings to the program in an attempt to overwhelm the filter (by causing a buffer overflow) and hoping that the filter does not fail securely (i.e. the user input is let into the system unfiltered).
  • MIME Conversion
    An attacker exploits a weakness in the MIME conversion routine to cause a buffer overflow and gain control over the mail server machine. The MIME system is designed to allow various different information formats to be interpreted and sent via e-mail. Attack points exist when data are converted to MIME compatible format and back.

Msbulletin

bulletin_idMS12-065
bulletin_url
date2012-10-09T00:00:00
impactRemote Code Execution
knowledgebase_id2754670
knowledgebase_url
severityImportant
titleVulnerability in Microsoft Works Could Allow Remote Code Execution

Nessus

NASL familyWindows : Microsoft Bulletins
NASL idSMB_NT_MS12-065.NASL
descriptionThe remote host is running a version of Microsoft Works for Windows that is affected by a heap overflow vulnerability. If an attacker can trick a user on the affected host into opening a specially crafted Works file, the attacker may be able to leverage this issue to run arbitrary code on the host subject to the user
last seen2020-06-01
modified2020-06-02
plugin id62460
published2012-10-10
reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2012-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/62460
titleMS12-065: Vulnerability in Microsoft Works Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2754670)
code
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(62460);
  script_version("1.14");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2018/11/15 20:50:31");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2012-2550");
  script_bugtraq_id(55796);
  script_xref(name:"MSFT", value:"MS12-065");
  script_xref(name:"MSKB", value:"2754670");

  script_name(english:"MS12-065: Vulnerability in Microsoft Works Could Allow Remote Code Execution (2754670)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks version of wkwpqd.dll");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote Windows host could allow arbitrary code execution.");
  script_set_attribute( attribute:"description", value:
"The remote host is running a version of Microsoft Works for Windows
that is affected by a heap overflow vulnerability.  If an attacker can
trick a user on the affected host into opening a specially crafted Works
file, the attacker may be able to leverage this issue to run arbitrary
code on the host subject to the user's privileges.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/SecurityBulletins/2012/ms12-065");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Microsoft has released a patch for Microsoft Works 9.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2012/10/09");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2012/10/09");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2012/10/10");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:microsoft:works");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Windows : Microsoft Bulletins");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2012-2018 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");

  script_dependencies("smb_hotfixes.nasl", "office_installed.nasl", "ms_bulletin_checks_possible.nasl");
  script_require_keys("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");
  script_require_ports(139, 445, 'Host/patch_management_checks');

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes_fcheck.inc");
include("smb_hotfixes.inc");
include("smb_func.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");

get_kb_item_or_exit("SMB/MS_Bulletin_Checks/Possible");

bulletin = "MS12-065";
kb = '2754670';
kbs = make_list(kb);
if (get_kb_item("Host/patch_management_checks")) hotfix_check_3rd_party(bulletin:bulletin, kbs:kbs, severity:SECURITY_HOLE);

if (!hotfix_check_works_installed()) audit(AUDIT_NOT_INST, "Microsoft Works");

prgfiles = hotfix_get_programfilesdir();
if (!prgfiles) exit(1, "Error getting Program Files directory.");

share = hotfix_path2share(path:prgfiles);
if (!is_accessible_share(share:share)) audit(AUDIT_SHARE_FAIL, share);

path = prgfiles + "\Microsoft Works";

# Works 9.
if (hotfix_check_fversion(file:"wkwpqd.dll", version:"9.12.521.0", min_version:"9.0.0.0", path:path, bulletin:bulletin, kb:kb) == HCF_OLDER)
{
  set_kb_item(name:"SMB/Missing/"+bulletin, value:TRUE);
  hotfix_security_hole();

  hotfix_check_fversion_end();
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  hotfix_check_fversion_end();
  audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
}