CVE-2005-4636 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
OpenOffice.org 2.0 and earlier, when hyperlinks has been disabled, does not prevent the user from clicking the WWW-browser button in the Hyperlink dialog, which makes it easier for attackers to trick the user into bypassing intended security settings.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4636 represents a significant security flaw in OpenOffice.org versions 2.0 and earlier where the application fails to properly enforce hyperlink security settings. This issue stems from a design oversight in the Hyperlink dialog interface that allows users to bypass intended security controls through an alternative pathway. When hyperlink functionality is disabled as a security measure, the application should prevent all forms of hyperlink activation, yet this vulnerability demonstrates that users can still trigger web browser actions through the dedicated WWW-browser button within the dialog interface.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper input validation and access control within the Hyperlink dialog component. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, where the application fails to properly restrict access to functionality that should be disabled. The flaw specifically affects the user interface layer of the application, where the security boundary between disabled functionality and accessible functionality becomes porous. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious documents that contain disabled hyperlinks but include a WWW-browser button that, when clicked, opens the user's default web browser, thereby circumventing the intended security restrictions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for users who rely on OpenOffice.org for document processing in environments where security is paramount. The impact extends beyond simple document viewing to encompass potential phishing attacks, malicious URL redirection, and credential harvesting. Users who have disabled hyperlinks to prevent automatic web access may unknowingly expose themselves to these threats when they click the WWW-browser button, which appears to be a legitimate interface element but actually provides bypass functionality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in corporate or educational environments where documents may be shared between users with different security requirements.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution category, where attackers leverage application-specific weaknesses to execute malicious code or redirect users to harmful websites. The attack vector relies on social engineering aspects, as users must be tricked into clicking the WWW-browser button within the seemingly benign Hyperlink dialog. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing that covers all user interface pathways, not just the primary functionality. The flaw also highlights the need for proper security boundary enforcement across all application components, particularly in user-facing dialog interfaces where users may attempt to access functionality through alternative means.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected OpenOffice.org installations to versions that properly enforce hyperlink security settings. Organizations should also implement user education programs to raise awareness about the potential for such bypass mechanisms. Additional defensive measures include configuring security policies that restrict access to web browser functionality, implementing application whitelisting controls, and conducting regular security audits of user interface components to ensure that all security controls are properly enforced. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and the critical role that user interface security plays in overall application security posture, particularly in office productivity suites where users frequently interact with potentially malicious documents.