#VU1412 Memory corruption in Microsoft products - CVE-2009-0556
Published: December 20, 2016 / Updated: January 7, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU1412
Vulnerability risk: Critical
CVSSv4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Red
CVE-ID: CVE-2009-0556
CWE-ID: CWE-119
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
The vulnerability is being exploited in the wild
Vulnerable software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Office for macOS
Microsoft Office
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Office for macOS
Microsoft Office
Software vendor:
Microsoft
Microsoft
Description
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The weakness exists due to boundary error when handling malformed PowerPoint files. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted PowerPoint file, trick the victim into opening it, trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code on the target system with privileges of the current user.
Successful exploitation of the vulnerability results in arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system.
Note: this vulnerability was being actively exploited.
The weakness exists due to boundary error when handling malformed PowerPoint files. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted PowerPoint file, trick the victim into opening it, trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code on the target system with privileges of the current user.
Successful exploitation of the vulnerability results in arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system.
Note: this vulnerability was being actively exploited.
Remediation
Install update from vendor's website:
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2000 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=f443312a-ac74-4ebc-a4ac-7a756aa67894
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=120394
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2002 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=a24ec7ab-c1c7-4ddb-8b6e-107f1af67f49
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=120394
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=ccfa978b-3340-40db-a45d-c880ba36b106
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=120394
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5557bfb7-ebb4-4c42-8042-41e830c4e550
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=143568
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2000 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=f443312a-ac74-4ebc-a4ac-7a756aa67894
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=120394
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2002 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=a24ec7ab-c1c7-4ddb-8b6e-107f1af67f49
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=120394
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 Service Pack 3:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=ccfa978b-3340-40db-a45d-c880ba36b106
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=120394
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac:
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5557bfb7-ebb4-4c42-8042-41e830c4e550
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=143568