Advisory Details

January 15th, 2025

Microsoft Office Word DOCX File Parsing Uninitialized Pointer Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

ZDI-25-030
ZDI-CAN-25187

CVE ID CVE-2025-21363
CVSS SCORE 7.8, AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AFFECTED VENDORS Microsoft
AFFECTED PRODUCTS Office Word
VULNERABILITY DETAILS

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Office Word. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the parsing of DOCX files. The issue results from the lack of proper initialization of a pointer prior to accessing it. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS Microsoft has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-21363
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2024-10-31 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2025-01-15 - Coordinated public release of advisory
  • 2025-01-15 - Advisory Updated
CREDIT Jmini, Rotiple, D4m0n
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