Overview
In this blog post, we are going to delve into the details of a high severity vulnerability, CVE-2025-53730, affecting Microsoft Office Visio. This vulnerability is a critical use-after-free issue that can allow an unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim’s system locally. It’s a significant threat due to the widespread use of Microsoft Office products across businesses globally, meaning a large number of systems could potentially be at risk.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-53730
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise and data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Microsoft Office Visio | All prior to the latest patch
How the Exploit Works
A use-after-free vulnerability involves the use of memory after it has been freed. This can lead to various unwanted outcomes, including program crashes, incorrect outputs, and potentially, arbitrary code execution. In the context of CVE-2025-53730, an attacker could craft a malicious Visio file which, when opened by the victim, exploits this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the local system.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example illustrating a potential malicious payload that could exploit this vulnerability. This is not a real exploit code, but rather a simplified representation to give an idea of how the exploit could work.
# Malicious shellcode
malicious_code = """
<shellcode representing arbitrary code execution>
"""
# Craft a malicious Visio file
visio_file = create_visio_file_with_malicious_code(malicious_code)
# Send the malicious Visio file to the victim
send_file_to_victim(visio_file)In this conceptual example, the attacker creates a Visio file embedding malicious shellcode. This file is then sent to the victim, who opens it, triggering the use-after-free vulnerability and executing the malicious code.
Mitigation Guidance
Users are advised to apply the vendor patch immediately to mitigate this vulnerability. If unable to apply the patch, users can use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation. These measures can help protect against the exploitation of this vulnerability by detecting and blocking malicious traffic patterns or payloads.
Remember, staying updated with the latest security patches and implementing a robust cybersecurity infrastructure are essential components in defending against such vulnerabilities.
