CVE-2006-2197 in wv2
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in wv2 before 0.2.3 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Microsoft Word document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2197 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the wv2 library version 0.2.2 and earlier, which is widely used for processing Microsoft Word documents in Unix-like environments. This library serves as a crucial component for converting word processing files into plain text or other formats, making it a common target for attackers seeking to exploit document processing applications. The integer overflow occurs during the parsing of Microsoft Word document structures, specifically when handling certain field codes and formatting elements within the document's internal data structures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound, which represents a fundamental flaw in how the software handles numeric values that exceed their allocated storage capacity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious Microsoft Word documents that, when processed by vulnerable versions of wv2, trigger integer overflow conditions in memory allocation routines. When the library attempts to allocate memory based on malformed data extracted from the crafted document, the integer overflow causes the allocation to fail or produce incorrect memory sizes, potentially leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow through buffer overflows or other memory-based exploitation techniques. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that successful exploitation requires specific conditions, including the presence of the vulnerable wv2 library and the execution of document processing operations that trigger the affected parsing code paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including remote code execution on systems that process Word documents automatically. Systems that use wv2 for email filtering, document conversion services, or automated document analysis are particularly at risk since these applications often process untrusted input from external sources. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors such as web-based document processing, email attachments, or file upload mechanisms where users or automated systems process Microsoft Word documents without proper validation. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document processing is automated and users may unknowingly trigger exploitation through routine document handling activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2197 primarily focus on immediate software updates and version control measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to wv2 version 0.2.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the integer overflow conditions in the document parsing routines. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities in other libraries or applications. Security practitioners should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious document processing activities and implementing sandboxing techniques for document handling operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 as Exploitation for Execution, with potential lateral movement implications if attackers successfully gain code execution capabilities through document processing systems. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using vulnerable versions of wv2 and ensure comprehensive patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues in the future.