CVE-2009-0948 in file
Summary
by MITRE • 06/02/2021
Multiple buffer overflows in the (1) cdf_read_sat, (2) cdf_read_long_sector_chain, and (3) cdf_read_ssat function in file before 5.02.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0948 represents a critical security flaw affecting file processing functions within a software library that handles compound document file formats. This vulnerability impacts versions prior to 5.02 and specifically targets three distinct functions responsible for reading sector allocation tables and managing file structures within compound document containers. The affected functions include cdf_read_sat which processes sector allocation tables, cdf_read_long_sector_chain which handles long sector chains, and cdf_read_ssat which manages small sector allocation tables. These functions operate within the core file parsing logic that interprets structured storage formats commonly used in Microsoft Office documents and other compound file systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through buffer overflow conditions that occur when the software processes malformed or specially crafted compound document files. Each of the three affected functions fails to properly validate input parameters before performing memory operations, allowing attackers to write data beyond the bounds of allocated memory buffers. This lack of proper bounds checking creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution, memory corruption, and potential system compromise. The buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous because they occur during the normal file parsing process, meaning legitimate file operations can trigger these vulnerabilities without any suspicious user behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0948 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by crafting malicious compound document files that, when processed by vulnerable software, trigger the buffer overflows and enable remote code execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The attack surface is particularly concerning because compound document formats are widely used in office productivity applications, making this vulnerability applicable to numerous software products including Microsoft Office, various document viewers, and file processing libraries. The exploitation techniques often leverage the standard attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and script injection, where successful buffer overflow exploitation can lead to privilege escalation and persistent access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0948 require immediate patching of affected software to version 5.02 or later, which contains the necessary code fixes for proper buffer bounds checking. Organizations should implement defensive measures including input validation for all compound document file processing, network segmentation to limit exposure, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in security-critical applications, highlighting the need for comprehensive code review processes that identify and address buffer overflow conditions before deployment. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle buffer overflow vulnerabilities in file processing systems.