CVE-2006-2492 describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in Microsoft Word found in Office 2000 SP3, Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP1 and SP2, and Microsoft Works Suites through 2006. This vulnerability allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed object pointer. It was initially reported by ISC on May 19, 2006, indicating a zero-day attack.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, categorizing it as high severity. The high score indicates that the vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using the affected software. With an attack vector classified as network and low attack complexity, this vulnerability is particularly concerning. Attackers may leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code without requiring any privileges, but user interaction is necessary for exploitation.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential data breaches, given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, there is no public exploit confirmed for this vulnerability, but its presence in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog emphasizes the urgency for organizations to address it.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution due to a buffer overflow in Microsoft Word. The affected versions include Office 2000 SP3, Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP1 and SP2, and Microsoft Works Suites through 2006. Officially, this vulnerability is classified under CWE-120, indicating a buffer copy without checking the size of the input.
It was published on May 20, 2006, and the vendor has released a patch to mitigate this vulnerability. Organizations must ensure that they have applied the necessary updates.
Technical Analysis
The root cause is a buffer overflow occurring in Microsoft Word when handling a malformed object pointer. The attack vector is network-based, leveraging user interaction to trigger the vulnerability. Attack complexity is low, requiring no privileges to exploit. However, user interaction is necessary to initiate the attack.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated high, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise sensitive data, alter files, and disrupt service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2006-2492 is significant, considering the potential for unauthorized code execution. Organizations utilizing the affected versions of Microsoft Word and Works Suites are at a heightened risk of exploitation, especially if they haven't applied the necessary patches.
Given the critical severity of the CVSS score and its inclusion in the KEV catalog, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Delaying remediation could lead to significant security breaches.
The potential blast radius of this vulnerability is extensive, impacting any user of the affected Microsoft products. Hence, the urgency for patching cannot be overstated.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects the following versions of Microsoft products: Office 2000 SP3, Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP1 and SP2, and Microsoft Works Suites through 2006. Organizations using any of these versions must apply the necessary patches.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the vendor's updates to mitigate this vulnerability. If a patch is unavailable, implementing network controls to restrict access to affected systems is advised. Regular monitoring for unusual behavior in Microsoft Word and Works Suites can help detect potential exploitation attempts.
For comprehensive security measures, organizations can consider engaging in penetration testing to identify weaknesses and validate remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for log indicators that may indicate exploitation attempts. Behavioral anomalies in Microsoft Word, such as unexpected prompts for user interaction or unusual file access patterns, should be scrutinized. Network signatures for known exploitation vectors can also enhance detection capabilities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2006-2492 represents a significant vulnerability that highlights the importance of timely software updates. The persistent risk associated with such vulnerabilities underlines the necessity for proactive security measures. Organizations should learn from this incident and ensure that comprehensive vulnerability management practices are in place to protect against similar threats in the future.
For further insights into vulnerability management, organizations may refer to our vulnerability management program design to enhance their security posture.
Additionally, understanding the complexities of modern threats can be aided by exploring our penetration testing methodology to better prepare for potential vulnerabilities.
Ultimately, learning from such vulnerabilities is crucial for developing a resilient security strategy. Organizations can benefit from reviewing our report on security testing best practices to refine their response to emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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