Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2015-1642 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Microsoft Office. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Security Account Manager (T1003.002); ranked in the top 1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, 2010 SP2, and 2013 SP1 contain a memory corruption vulnerability tracked as CVE-2015-1642 and CWE-787. The flaw is triggered when the applications process a specially crafted document, resulting in an out-of-bounds write that can corrupt memory structures used by the Office components.
An attacker can deliver the malicious document through typical remote vectors such as email or web downloads. Successful exploitation requires the victim to open the file, after which arbitrary code can be executed in the context of the current user, granting full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system. The CVSS 7.8 score reflects the local attack vector combined with the absence of privileges needed and the high impact of code execution.
Microsoft security bulletin MS15-081 addresses the issue by providing updates that correct the memory handling logic in the affected Office versions. Organizations are advised to apply the patches promptly, as the bulletin classifies the vulnerability as critical and includes guidance on deployment via Windows Update or Microsoft Update services.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2015-1772
Vulnerability Data
Microsoft Office 2007 SP3, 2010 SP2, and 2013 SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted document, aka "Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 03 March 2022
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Out-of-bounds writes that corrupt control flow or inject shellcode are rendered non-executable by the same memory protections.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Vulnerability scanning and recording can discover out-of-bounds write flaws so they can be remediated.
Patching or replacing vulnerable software directly eliminates known instances of this coding weakness.
Secure-development practices (static analysis, bounds checking, code review) are the primary means of preventing out-of-bounds writes.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.