CVE-2008-3020

Microsoft Office 2000 SP3 and XP SP3; Office Converter Pack; and Works 8 do not properly parse the length of a BMP file, which allows remote attackers to…

published August 12, 2008

CVSS
—
EPSS
30%
Percentile
98.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 A crafty BMP file is all it takes to slip in arbitrary code! 😱 This vulnerability in Microsoft Office 2000 SP3, XP SP3, and Works 8 is a reminder of how even the simplest files can hide serious risks. Think of it like a delivery service accepting a package without checking the dimensions — if the box is suspiciously oversized, it might contain something unwanted! In this case, the malformed BMP filter in Microsoft products is the unsuspecting delivery person. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on your system, potentially gaining full control. This could lead to data theft, malware installation, or unauthorized actions, making it a surprisingly sneaky threat.

Put simply

Think of it like a delivery service accepting a package without checking the dimensions — if the box is suspiciously oversized, it might contain something unwanted! In this case, the malformed BMP filter in Microsoft products is the unsuspecting delivery person. The vulnerability arises from improper parsing of BMP file lengths, allowing attackers to craft malicious BMP files that bypass security measures and execute harmful code.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on your system, potentially gaining full control. This could lead to data theft, malware installation, or unauthorized actions, making it a surprisingly sneaky threat. While this vulnerability hasn't been actively exploited, it's wise to update to the latest supported versions of Microsoft Office and Works. Ensure that any file processing includes strict checks on file formats to mitigate such risks. You've got this! Stay vigilant and keep your software up to date for a safer computing experience! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.30308 · 98.2th percentile
Published
2008-08-12T23:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 12 AUG 23:00Z
    Microsoft Office 2000 SP3 and XP SP3; Office Converter Pack; and Works 8 do not properly parse the length of a BMP file, which allows remote attackers to…
    cvelistv5