CVE-2004-0645 in wvWare
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the wvHandleDateTimePicture function in wv library (wvWare) 0.7.4 through 0.7.6 and 1.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a document with a long DateTime field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0645 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the wv library implementation of wvWare software suite. This issue affects versions 0.7.4 through 0.7.6 and 1.0.0 of the wvWare library, which is commonly used for processing Microsoft Word documents in Unix/Linux environments. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the wvHandleDateTimePicture function, which processes date and time formatting information stored within Word documents. The flaw occurs when the library encounters a document containing an excessively long DateTime field, causing memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The wvHandleDateTimePicture function fails to properly validate the length of DateTime field data before processing, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled input can exceed the allocated buffer space. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and represent one of the most common attack vectors in software exploitation. The buffer overflow occurs during document parsing operations when the library attempts to handle malformed or oversized DateTime fields that exceed the expected buffer boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to systems that process untrusted Word documents, particularly those running applications that utilize the wvWare library for document handling. Remote attackers can craft malicious Word documents containing specially formatted DateTime fields that trigger the buffer overflow condition when processed by vulnerable applications. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in server environments where document processing is automated or where users can upload documents without proper validation. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially enable broader network infiltration and lateral movement within compromised environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the wvWare library has released updated versions that address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies that reject or sanitize Word documents containing suspicious DateTime field lengths before processing. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual document processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in preventing memory corruption attacks, principles that align with defensive programming practices recommended by industry standards including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how malformed input can lead to arbitrary code execution in vulnerable software components.