CVE-2007-1466 in Wordperfect Document Importer-exporter
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the WP6GeneralTextPacket::_readContents function in WordPerfect Document importer/exporter (libwpd) before 0.8.9 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted WordPerfect file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-0002.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1466 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the WordPerfect Document importer/exporter library known as libwpd. This issue affects versions prior to 0.8.9 and resides in the WP6GeneralTextPacket::_readContents function which processes WordPerfect document structures. The vulnerability manifests when the library encounters malformed WordPerfect files that trigger improper integer arithmetic during content processing. The flaw operates by causing integer overflow conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior in memory allocation and buffer handling operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of memory corruption flaws that can result in both denial of service and potential code execution scenarios. When a maliciously crafted WordPerfect document is processed by the vulnerable libwpd library, the integer overflow in the text packet reading function causes the application to allocate insufficient memory buffers or compute incorrect memory addresses. This misbehavior can result in application crashes due to segmentation faults or access violations, while simultaneously creating opportunities for attackers to potentially inject and execute arbitrary code through carefully constructed input data. The vulnerability specifically affects the WordPerfect 6.x document format processing capabilities within the library.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process WordPerfect documents, particularly in environments where document handling is automated or where users can upload or receive WordPerfect files from untrusted sources. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger this vulnerability without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web applications or document processing services. The potential for arbitrary code execution escalates the severity beyond simple denial of service, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain full control over affected systems. Organizations using libwpd in their document processing pipelines face elevated risk of system compromise or service disruption.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which categorizes integer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, involving the exploitation of input validation flaws to achieve remote code execution. System administrators and security professionals should prioritize updating affected systems to libwpd version 0.8.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this integer overflow condition. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures for WordPerfect document processing, combined with network segmentation and access controls, can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious document processing activities and implementing automated scanning for potentially malicious WordPerfect files to detect exploitation attempts before they can cause damage. The remediation process requires careful testing of updated libraries to ensure compatibility with existing document processing workflows while eliminating the security risk associated with this integer overflow vulnerability.