CVE-2007-0239 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
OpenOffice.org (OOo) Office Suite allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a prepared link in a crafted document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0239 represents a critical command injection flaw within the OpenOffice.org office suite that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This security weakness specifically manifests when the software processes hyperlinks contained within maliciously crafted documents, creating a pathway for attackers to leverage shell metacharacters for unauthorized system command execution. The vulnerability exists in the document processing engine's handling of external references and URL parsing mechanisms, where insufficient input validation allows malicious payloads to bypass security controls and directly interact with the underlying operating system shell.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted documents that contain specially formatted links designed to trigger command execution when users interact with the document. When OpenOffice.org processes these malicious links, the software fails to properly sanitize or escape shell metacharacters present in the URL parameters, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-78 category of "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" and aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The flaw essentially creates a pathway where user-controlled input directly translates into operating system commands without proper validation or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise, as attackers can leverage the executed commands to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or deployment of additional malware. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that successful exploitation requires user interaction with the malicious document, typically through opening or clicking on the crafted hyperlink. However, this requirement does not mitigate the severity of the vulnerability, as social engineering techniques can easily deceive users into interacting with malicious documents. The attack vector specifically targets the document processing functionality of OpenOffice.org, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open external documents or receive email attachments containing office suite formatted files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0239 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement strict document filtering policies that prevent automatic execution of external links and disable potentially dangerous features such as automatic URL resolution in office documents. The recommended approach includes applying security patches and updates to OpenOffice.org versions that address this specific vulnerability, while also implementing network-level controls to monitor and block suspicious command execution patterns. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted documents and clicking on unfamiliar hyperlinks. From a defensive perspective, implementing application whitelisting controls and restricting the execution of shell commands from office applications can significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in office suite applications, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent similar issues in future software releases.