CVE-2004-0752 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
OpenOffice (OOo) 1.1.2 creates predictable directory names with insecure permissions during startup, which may allow local users to read or list files of other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0752 affects OpenOffice version 1.1.2 and represents a significant security flaw related to temporary directory creation during application startup. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly secure temporary file storage mechanisms, creating predictable directory names that can be exploited by local attackers to gain unauthorized access to other users' files.
The technical flaw manifests in how OpenOffice handles temporary directory creation at startup time. The application generates directory names using predictable patterns that do not incorporate sufficient entropy or randomization elements. This predictable naming convention, combined with insecure default permissions, allows local users to enumerate and access temporary directories created by other users. The vulnerability specifically targets the privilege escalation and information disclosure aspects of system security, enabling unauthorized file access through directory traversal techniques.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious threat to user privacy and data confidentiality within multi-user environments. Local attackers can exploit the predictable directory names to discover and access temporary files that may contain sensitive user data, configuration information, or partial content from documents being processed by other users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in shared computing environments where multiple users operate on the same system, as it undermines the basic principle of user isolation and file access controls.
The security implications extend beyond simple file access, as this vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the information disclosure capabilities to gather intelligence about other users' activities, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and represents a classic example of insecure temporary file handling that violates fundamental security principles. The vulnerability also maps to CWE-377 (Insecure Temporary Files) and CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions) in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, highlighting the dual nature of the flaw.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through software updates and configuration changes. The most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of OpenOffice that addresses the predictable directory naming and insecure permission issues. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting temporary directory permissions, implementing proper access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized directory access attempts. Regular security auditing of temporary file handling mechanisms and adherence to secure coding practices can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other applications. Organizations should also consider implementing file system monitoring solutions to detect and alert on suspicious access patterns related to temporary directories, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper temporary file management in preventing local privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks.