CVE-2012-0177

Heap-based buffer overflow in the Office Works File Converter in Microsoft Office 2007 SP2, Works 9, and Works 6-9 File Converter allows remote attackers to…

published April 10, 2012

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

⚠️ A crafty heap-based buffer overflow lurks in the Office Works File Converter! This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through a deceptively simple .wps file. 🔥 Think of the buffer as a suitcase that should only hold a certain number of clothes. But what if someone sneaks in extra, and it bursts open? That’s basically what happens here when malicious code overflows the designated memory space. An attacker could craft a malicious .wps file and, if opened by an unsuspecting user, run arbitrary code with the same privileges as the user. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, or worse—compromising your entire system!

Put simply

Think of the buffer as a suitcase that should only hold a certain number of clothes. But what if someone sneaks in extra, and it bursts open? That’s basically what happens here when malicious code overflows the designated memory space. This vulnerability occurs in the Office Works File Converter for Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 and other versions, where improper handling of crafted .wps files can lead to memory corruption and potential remote code execution.

What to do

An attacker could craft a malicious .wps file and, if opened by an unsuspecting user, run arbitrary code with the same privileges as the user. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, or worse—compromising your entire system! To protect yourself, consider updating to a patched version of Microsoft Office that addresses this vulnerability. Additionally, avoid opening unknown .wps files and educate users about the risks of opening suspicious documents. You've got this! Stay vigilant and keep your software updated to stay one step ahead of the bad guys! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.30052 · 98.2th percentile
Published
2012-04-10T21:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 10 APR 21:00Z
    Heap-based buffer overflow in the Office Works File Converter in Microsoft Office 2007 SP2, Works 9, and Works 6-9 File Converter allows remote attackers to…
    cvelistv5