CVE-2007-0245 in StarOffice Office Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in OpenOffice.org (OOo) 2.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a RTF file with a crafted prtdata tag with a length parameter inconsistency, which causes vtable entries to be overwritten.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0245 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting OpenOffice.org versions 2.2.1 and earlier. This flaw resides within the RTF import functionality of the office suite, specifically when processing crafted prtdata tags that contain inconsistent length parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the RTF parser component, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions including virtual function table entries. Such memory corruption directly enables remote code execution capabilities, as the overwritten vtable entries can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through email attachments or web downloads containing malicious RTF documents, requiring no user interaction beyond opening the document. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that the memory corruption occurs in the heap memory region, making it more difficult to predict and exploit compared to stack-based overflows, as heap memory layout is less predictable and can be influenced by various factors during program execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of RTF file structures where the prtdata tag contains a length parameter that does not match the actual data size. When the OpenOffice.org RTF parser encounters this inconsistency, it attempts to read or write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, causing memory corruption that affects the program's virtual table structure. This memory corruption specifically targets the virtual function table entries that are used for dynamic dispatch in object-oriented programming, allowing an attacker to redirect function calls to arbitrary memory locations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-787, out-of-bounds write, where the attacker can write data past the end of a buffer. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability provides attackers with a remote code execution vector that can be leveraged through web-based attacks, email phishing campaigns, or file sharing platforms where RTF documents are commonly used. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that OpenOffice.org was widely deployed in enterprise environments, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise multiple systems simultaneously.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation and persistent access to affected systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish command and control channels for further network infiltration. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, significantly expanding the attack surface. Organizations using affected versions of OpenOffice.org face substantial risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through common attack vectors such as malicious email attachments, compromised websites serving malicious RTF documents, or file sharing platforms. The attack pattern follows typical remote code execution methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques involving malicious file execution and privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as simply opening a malicious RTF document in OpenOffice.org can trigger the exploit. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open compromised documents, leading to widespread system compromise. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in office productivity software, as the issue arises from insufficient boundary checking in the RTF parser implementation. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability when assessing risk in legacy office software deployments and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to address such critical memory corruption flaws.