CVE-2007-2834 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the TIFF parser in OpenOffice.org (OOo) before 2.3; and Sun StarOffice 6, 7, and 8 Office Suite (StarSuite); allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a TIFF file with crafted values of unspecified length fields, which triggers allocation of an incorrect amount of memory, resulting in a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2834 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the TIFF image parsing component of widely used office suites including OpenOffice.org versions prior to 2.3 and Sun StarOffice versions 6 through 8. This issue stems from insufficient input validation when processing TIFF file format headers and metadata fields that specify image dimensions and data lengths. The flaw occurs during the parsing phase where the software attempts to allocate memory based on values extracted from these fields without proper bounds checking or overflow detection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of TIFF file structure elements that define the size and length of image data segments. When an attacker crafts a malicious TIFF file containing oversized or negative values in these length fields, the parsing routine performs arithmetic operations that exceed the maximum representable value for the integer data type being used. This overflow condition causes the application to allocate insufficient memory or incorrectly calculated memory blocks, leading to heap corruption and potential code execution. The vulnerability specifically targets heap-based buffer overflow conditions which are classified under CWE-190 as integer overflow leading to buffer overflow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Remote attackers can deliver malicious TIFF files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms, making this a particularly dangerous threat to end users. The attack requires no authentication or privileged access, and the exploit can be automated through the standard document processing workflows of these office suites. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application process, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected versions of OpenOffice.org and Sun StarOffice, as well as implementing network-based restrictions such as file type filtering and sandboxing mechanisms. Organizations should also consider disabling automatic image loading in office applications and implementing strict file validation policies. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique for command and script interpreter execution, and the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia parsing libraries, reinforcing industry standards that emphasize the necessity of robust boundary checking and integer overflow protection mechanisms in software development lifecycle processes.