CVE-2005-2971 in KOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the KWord RTF importer for KOffice 1.2.0 through 1.4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted RTF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2971 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the KWord RTF importer within KOffice versions 1.2.0 through 1.4.1. This flaw resides in the document processing component responsible for handling rich text format files, which are commonly used for document exchange between different office applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the RTF parsing logic, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through maliciously crafted RTF documents. The heap overflow occurs when the importer attempts to process malformed RTF structures that exceed allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the KWord application's failure to properly validate the length of data elements within RTF files during the import process. When processing RTF content, the application allocates memory on the heap to store parsed data structures, but does not adequately check whether incoming data exceeds predetermined buffer limits. This allows an attacker to craft RTF files containing oversized data sequences that overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through email attachments or web downloads, making it a significant threat to users who may inadvertently open malicious documents. The buffer overflow specifically affects heap memory management, which is classified under CWE-121 as heap-based buffer overflow conditions, where insufficient bounds checking leads to memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2971 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution with the privileges of the user running KWord, potentially allowing attackers to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a wide range of users who rely on KOffice for document processing, particularly in enterprise environments where RTF files are frequently exchanged. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through social engineering techniques targeting office workers who may open malicious RTF attachments, making it a prevalent threat vector in corporate security environments. The exploitability factor is enhanced by the fact that RTF files are commonly used in legitimate business communications, making detection and prevention more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected KOffice installations to versions that include proper input validation and memory bounds checking. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies that scan RTF files for suspicious structures before allowing them to be processed by office applications. Network-level protections can include content filtering systems that block RTF attachments from untrusted sources and implement sandboxing techniques to isolate document processing activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through client-side exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of opening untrusted RTF files and establish incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the use of application whitelisting and privilege separation can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.