CVE-2009-2496

Heap-based buffer overflow in the Office Web Components ActiveX Control in Microsoft Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP3, Office XP Web Components SP3, Office 2003…

published August 12, 2009

CVSS
—
EPSS
29%
Percentile
98.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A heap-based buffer overflow lurking in Microsoft Office components could let attackers execute arbitrary code! This sneaky vulnerability is like a crafty magician pulling a fast one right under your nose! 🎩✨ Think of it as a builder using faulty bricks that can collapse the whole structure. Just like how a poorly placed brick can ruin a building's integrity, this overflow can allow attackers to warp the functionality of Office components. If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to take control of affected systems, executing any code they choose. This could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or even full system compromise, making it a surprisingly dangerous scenario—even if currently not known to be actively exploited.

Put simply

Think of it as a builder using faulty bricks that can collapse the whole structure. Just like how a poorly placed brick can ruin a building's integrity, this overflow can allow attackers to warp the functionality of Office components. The vulnerability exists due to a heap-based buffer overflow in the Office Web Components ActiveX Control, enabling remote attackers to supply unspecified parameters to unknown methods, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

What to do

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to take control of affected systems, executing any code they choose. This could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or even full system compromise, making it a surprisingly dangerous scenario—even if currently not known to be actively exploited. To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to update Microsoft Office components to the latest versions, specifically targeting the affected versions like Office XP and Office 2003. Additionally, consider disabling ActiveX controls or configuring permissions to limit exposure. You've got this! Stay proactive and follow these steps to keep your systems secure! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.29462 · 98.2th percentile
Published
2009-08-12T17:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 12 AUG 17:00Z
    Heap-based buffer overflow in the Office Web Components ActiveX Control in Microsoft Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP3, Office XP Web Components SP3, Office 2003…
    cvelistv5