CVE-2007-5745 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in OpenOffice.org before 2.4 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a Quattro Pro (QPRO) file with crafted (1) Attribute and (2) Font Description records.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5745 represents a critical security flaw in OpenOffice.org versions prior to 2.4 that exposes the software to remote code execution and denial of service attacks through specifically crafted Quattro Pro files. This vulnerability affects the handling of Attribute and Font Description records within QPRO file formats, creating conditions where maliciously constructed data can trigger heap-based buffer overflows. The flaw exists in the file parsing mechanism that processes legacy spreadsheet formats, particularly targeting the memory management routines responsible for processing structured data within these proprietary file types. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious QPRO files that contain oversized or malformed Attribute and Font Description records, leading to memory corruption that can result in application crashes or potentially arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of structured data within QPRO files. When OpenOffice.org processes these files, it allocates memory buffers to store attribute and font description data without adequate validation of the data length or structure. This allows attackers to provide input data that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute malicious code or force application termination. The heap-based nature of the buffer overflow means that the corruption occurs in the heap memory region, which can lead to more sophisticated exploitation techniques including stack smashing or return-oriented programming attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the memory allocation and deallocation routines that handle the processing of spreadsheet data structures, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted Office documents.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5745 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include potential remote code execution capabilities that could compromise entire systems. Organizations using vulnerable versions of OpenOffice.org face significant risks when processing untrusted documents, as the vulnerability can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction, as simply opening a malicious QPRO file can trigger the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently handle external documents. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow conditions and can be mapped to attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 category for script-based execution and T1203 for exploitation of remote services. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the application, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems or disrupt business operations through persistent denial of service conditions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5745 focus primarily on updating to OpenOffice.org version 2.4 or later, which includes patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions in the file parsing routines. System administrators should implement strict document validation policies, including sandboxing of document processing and content filtering to prevent execution of potentially malicious files. Network-level protections can include email filtering and web proxy configurations that block or scan QPRO files before they reach end-user systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable software versions and establish regular patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in office productivity software, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of file format parsers and the implementation of robust buffer overflow protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization.