CVE-2002-1340 in Office Web Components
Summary
by MITRE
The "ConnectionFile" property in the DataSourceControl component in Office Web Components (OWC) 10 allows remote attackers to determine the existence of local files by detecting an exception.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1340 resides within the Office Web Components 10 framework, specifically targeting the DataSourceControl component's ConnectionFile property. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that exploits the component's handling of local file references through remote access vectors. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and error handling mechanisms within the OWC 10 implementation, allowing malicious actors to perform reconnaissance attacks against target systems by analyzing exception responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the ConnectionFile property's behavior when processing file paths that do not exist locally. When a remote attacker provides a file path to the DataSourceControl component, the system generates distinct exception messages depending on whether the file exists locally or not. This differential response creates a side-channel information leak that can be systematically exploited to map local file structures without direct access to the system. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of Office Web Components 10 where the component fails to properly sanitize user-supplied file path inputs, leading to predictable exception responses that reveal file system information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities against systems running affected OWC 10 components. The impact extends beyond simple file enumeration as it provides attackers with insights into local directory structures, potentially revealing sensitive system layouts that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications that utilize OWC 10 for data connectivity, as it allows remote attackers to bypass traditional network security controls and gain knowledge about local file systems. This information disclosure capability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a significant risk to organizations relying on web-based data access components.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily limited to web applications that integrate Office Web Components 10 and expose the DataSourceControl component to remote users. Systems running vulnerable components may be targeted through web-based attacks that submit various file path combinations to the ConnectionFile property, enabling systematic file system enumeration. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) reflects its ability to extract system information through component manipulation. Organizations should consider implementing proper input validation, exception handling, and access controls to mitigate this risk, while also ensuring that affected components are updated or removed from production environments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in component-based development and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party web components.
This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly innocuous component properties can create significant security risks when proper validation and error handling mechanisms are absent. The flaw represents a fundamental design weakness in the OWC 10 implementation where error responses inadvertently leak system information, creating a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about target environments. The remediation approach should focus on implementing proper input sanitization and ensuring that error messages do not reveal system-specific information to unauthorized users. Organizations should also consider the broader implications of using legacy web components in modern security environments, as these systems often lack the security considerations present in contemporary development practices.