CVE-2004-0573 in WordPerfect
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the converter for Microsoft WordPerfect 5.x on Office 2000, Office XP, Office 2003, and Works Suites 2001 through 2004 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious document or website.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0573 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Microsoft WordPerfect 5.x converter component that was integrated into various Microsoft Office suites including Office 2000, Office XP, Office 2003, and Works Suites 2001 through 2004. This vulnerability resides in the document conversion functionality that allows Microsoft Office applications to process and render files originally created in WordPerfect format. The flaw specifically manifests when these applications attempt to parse maliciously crafted WordPerfect 5.x documents, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized execution privileges on affected systems. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of legacy document format support and modern security boundaries, where the conversion layer fails to properly validate input data length and memory allocation, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate bounds checking within the WordPerfect 5.x file parser implementation. When Microsoft Office applications encounter WordPerfect documents, they utilize internal conversion routines to translate the foreign format into their native document structures. The flaw occurs during this translation process where insufficient validation of input parameters allows attackers to craft specially formatted WordPerfect files that exceed the allocated buffer space. This condition creates a classic stack-based buffer overflow scenario where attacker-controlled data overwrites adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of document processing applications that are frequently used in enterprise environments and are often automatically launched when users open email attachments or browse websites containing malicious content.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0573 extends beyond simple code execution privileges, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to compromised systems. This vulnerability can be exploited through multiple attack vectors including email attachments, web-based document delivery, and malicious websites that serve WordPerfect documents to unsuspecting users. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious WordPerfect 5.x document that, when opened by an affected Microsoft Office application, triggers the buffer overflow condition and subsequently executes arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. This capability aligns with attack patterns documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the technique of execution through command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to run malicious code. The vulnerability's presence across multiple versions of Microsoft Office and Works Suites created a widespread attack surface that was particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications were commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0573 primarily focus on immediate patching and application hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the buffer overflow condition by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the WordPerfect 5.x converter routines. Organizations should prioritize applying these security patches across all affected Microsoft Office versions and Works Suites to eliminate the vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include disabling automatic document conversion features, implementing strict email filtering policies to prevent malicious WordPerfect documents from reaching end users, and employing application whitelisting solutions that restrict execution of untrusted documents. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of the principle of least privilege in application security, as restricting user permissions can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would be classified under industry standards such as cwe-121 buffer underrun/overflow, which specifically addresses memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with legitimate WordPerfect document processing requirements while maintaining the necessary security protections against remote code execution attacks.