CVE-2007-0002 in libwpd
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in WordPerfect Document importer/exporter (libwpd) before 0.8.9 allow user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted WordPerfect file in which values to loop counters are not properly handled in the (1) WP3TablesGroup::_readContents and (2) WP5DefinitionGroup_DefineTablesSubGroup::WP5DefinitionGroup_DefineTablesSubGroup functions. NOTE: the integer overflow has been split into CVE-2007-1466.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0002 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition within the WordPerfect Document importer/exporter library known as libwpd. This issue affects versions prior to 0.8.9 and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management practices. The vulnerability specifically manifests in two distinct functions within the library's codebase, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit. The flaw resides in the improper handling of loop counter values during the processing of WordPerfect document structures, particularly within table-related data sections.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves integer overflow conditions that occur when processing crafted WordPerfect files. In the WP3TablesGroup::_readContents function and the WP5DefinitionGroup_DefineTablesSubGroup::WP5DefinitionGroup_DefineTablesSubGroup function, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize loop counter variables. When these counter values exceed their expected ranges, they can cause heap memory allocation calculations to overflow, resulting in buffer overflows that corrupt adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution. Attackers can craft malicious WordPerfect files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the buffer overflow conditions. The application crash resulting from these overflows can be leveraged for denial of service attacks against target systems, while the underlying memory corruption may provide opportunities for code execution. This vulnerability specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and demonstrates the classic attack pattern where malformed input leads to memory corruption.
The security implications of CVE-2007-0002 highlight the importance of proper input validation and memory management in document processing libraries. Applications that rely on libwpd for WordPerfect file handling become vulnerable to remote exploitation when using affected versions. The integer overflow conditions create predictable memory corruption patterns that can be exploited through carefully crafted input files, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted document content. This type of vulnerability underscores the need for robust bounds checking and input sanitization in all file format processing components. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of regular library updates and security patches to prevent exploitation of known memory corruption flaws in widely-used document processing software.