CVE-2006-2492
Microsoft Word Malformed Object Pointer Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2006-2492 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Word caused by a malformed object pointer. An attacker can craft a malicious Word document that, when opened by a user, exploits the flawed pointer to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system with the privileges of the logged-in user. This vulnerability affects Microsoft Word as well as Microsoft Works Suites, making it a significant threat to a wide range of users. CISA has listed CVE-2006-2492 in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild, and its EPSS percentile of 99.3% indicates an extremely high probability of exploitation activity.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| microsoft | office | 2000; 2003; xp |
| microsoft | works suite | >= 2000, <= 2006 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/archive/2006/05/19/429353.aspx(Broken Link)
- http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?storyid=1345(Exploit)
- http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?storyid=1346(Exploit)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/20153(Broken Link, Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- http://securitytracker.com/id?1016130(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/446012(Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/919637.mspx(Broken Link, Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.osvdb.org/25635(Broken Link)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/18037(Broken Link, Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-139A.html(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA06-164A.html(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2006/1872(Broken Link)
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2006/ms06-027(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/26556(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1418(Broken Link)
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A1738(Broken Link)
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A2068(Broken Link)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2006-2492(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
No specific CWE has been assigned to CVE-2006-2492 in the NVD database. The vulnerability involves a malformed object pointer in Microsoft Word's document parsing engine, which allows attackers to corrupt memory and redirect execution flow to arbitrary code. This class of weakness relates to improper handling of object references in memory, enabling code execution when a specially crafted document is processed.
Learn more: CWE Overview
Impact Analysis
CVE-2006-2492 enables remote code execution through a malformed object pointer in Microsoft Word, allowing an attacker to take full control of the affected system. The vulnerability requires user interaction, as the victim must open a malicious Word document, but no authentication is needed on the attacker's part to deliver the exploit. Confidentiality is severely impacted because arbitrary code execution gives attackers access to all files and data accessible to the current user, including sensitive documents, credentials, and email. Integrity is equally compromised as attackers can install backdoors, modify files, and alter system settings. Availability may be affected if the attacker deploys destructive payloads or ransomware. With an EPSS percentile of 99.3%, this vulnerability has a near-certain likelihood of being exploited in the wild, demanding immediate attention from organizations still running affected software.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2006-2492 in the wild by including it in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a remediation deadline of June 22, 2022. The EPSS percentile of 99.3% places this vulnerability among the most likely to be exploited, indicating widespread and sustained exploitation activity. Given the age of this vulnerability (2006) and its presence in a ubiquitous office productivity application, exploit techniques are well-understood and readily available, making it a reliable tool for attackers targeting unpatched systems.
Remediation
- Apply updates per vendor instructions as required by the CISA KEV catalog. Install all available Microsoft security patches for Microsoft Word and Microsoft Works Suites that address CVE-2006-2492.
- Upgrade to a current version of Microsoft Office that is no longer affected by this vulnerability. Given the age of this flaw, migrating to a modern, supported version of Office eliminates this and numerous other legacy vulnerabilities.
- Implement document sandboxing by enabling Protected View in Microsoft Office, which opens files from untrusted sources in a restricted environment that prevents code execution.
- Deploy email and web gateway filtering to block or quarantine suspicious Word documents, particularly those from external or unknown senders. Use attachment scanning and content disarm and reconstruction (CDR) technology where available.
- Educate users about document-based attacks and establish policies against opening unexpected or unsolicited Word documents, especially those received via email from unknown sources.
Technical Details
CVE-2006-2492 exploits a malformed object pointer within the Microsoft Word document parsing engine. When Word processes a specially crafted document, it encounters a corrupted object reference that points to attacker-controlled memory. The application follows this pointer during normal document rendering, leading to arbitrary code execution in the context of the Word process. Because Microsoft Word historically ran with the full privileges of the current user, successful exploitation grants the attacker the same level of access. The vulnerability affects the core document format parsing functionality, meaning any method of opening a malicious document (direct file open, email attachment preview, embedded OLE object) could trigger the exploit. This type of memory corruption through pointer manipulation was a common attack pattern in mid-2000s Office vulnerabilities before Microsoft introduced mitigations such as ASLR, DEP, and Protected View.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2006-2492 being actively exploited?
Yes, CVE-2006-2492 has been confirmed as actively exploited. CISA included it in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of June 22, 2022. The EPSS percentile of 99.3% further confirms an extremely high probability of exploitation activity.
What products are affected by CVE-2006-2492?
CVE-2006-2492 affects Microsoft Word and Microsoft Works Suites. These products contain a malformed object pointer vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a user opens a crafted document.
How do I fix CVE-2006-2492?
Apply all available Microsoft security updates for the affected products. The most effective remediation is to upgrade to a current, supported version of Microsoft Office. As interim mitigations, enable Protected View, deploy email filtering for suspicious Office documents, and educate users about the risks of opening untrusted files.
How severe is CVE-2006-2492?
CVE-2006-2492 is a serious remote code execution vulnerability with an EPSS percentile of 99.3%, placing it among the most exploited vulnerabilities. Successful exploitation gives an attacker full control over the affected system with the privileges of the current user, making it a high-priority remediation target.
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