CVE-2009-0201 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in OpenOffice.org (OOo) before 3.1.1 and StarOffice/StarSuite 7, 8, and 9 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified records in a crafted Word document, related to "table parsing."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0201 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting OpenOffice.org versions prior to 3.1.1 and StarOffice/StarSuite versions 7, 8, and 9. This security flaw resides within the document parsing functionality, specifically during the processing of table structures within Microsoft Word documents. The vulnerability manifests when the affected software encounters specially crafted records within Word documents that trigger improper memory handling during table parsing operations. The buffer overflow occurs in heap memory allocation, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow attack pattern where malicious input data exceeds the allocated buffer size during table parsing operations. The flaw is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the heap-based nature indicates memory corruption in dynamically allocated regions rather than fixed stack allocations. Attackers can construct malicious Word documents containing specially formatted table records that, when processed by the vulnerable OpenOffice.org or StarOffice applications, trigger the overflow condition. The exploitation mechanism leverages the parsing engine's failure to validate input lengths against allocated buffer sizes, creating opportunities for code execution through memory corruption attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the application's memory management and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0201 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities on systems running vulnerable versions of OpenOffice.org or StarOffice, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where these office suites are commonly deployed, creating widespread potential for malicious exploitation through email attachments or web-based document delivery. Organizations using these applications face significant risk as the exploitation can occur without user interaction when documents are opened automatically. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources, as the attack can be delivered through standard email attachments or web downloads without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0201 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patch management procedures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to OpenOffice.org 3.1.1 or later versions, or migrating to StarOffice/StarSuite 10 and newer releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing document validation controls and restricting document handling from untrusted sources provides layered protection against exploitation attempts. Network-based defenses can include content filtering systems that scan incoming documents for suspicious patterns or known malicious indicators. Security administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable versions of these office suites. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive patch management processes to protect against known security flaws. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their software ecosystems, particularly focusing on memory safety issues in document processing libraries that remain common attack vectors in enterprise environments.