CVE-2009-2139 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in svtools/source/filter.vcl/wmf/enhwmf.cxx in Go-oo 2.x and 3.x before 3.0.1, previously named ooo-build and related to OpenOffice.org (OOo), allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted EMF file, a similar issue to CVE-2008-2238.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2139 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the Go-oo document processing library, specifically affecting versions 2.x and 3.x prior to 3.0.1. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation during the processing of Enhanced Metafile (EMF) graphics format files, which are commonly used in Windows environments for storing vector graphics and device-independent graphics information. The flaw is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution through maliciously crafted EMF files, making it a significant threat to document processing applications that handle such graphics formats.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs in the svtools/source/filter.vcl/wmf/enhwmf.cxx source file where the application fails to properly validate buffer boundaries when parsing EMF file structures. When processing a crafted EMF file, the application allocates memory on the heap to store graphic data but does not adequately check the size of incoming data against allocated buffer space. This allows attackers to overflow the heap buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-known weakness in memory management that has been extensively documented in security literature and represents a common attack vector in software exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited in real-world scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw by embedding malicious EMF files within documents or web content that are then processed by vulnerable applications such as OpenOffice.org and its derivatives. The remote execution capability means that adversaries can compromise systems without requiring local access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document processing is common. This issue is directly related to CVE-2008-2238, indicating a pattern of similar vulnerabilities in the same codebase, which suggests systemic weaknesses in the graphics processing module of these office suites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to version 3.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap buffer overflow. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious file types and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted EMF files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in software development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and T1203 for exploitation of software vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify other potential weaknesses in document processing components that might be susceptible to similar buffer overflow attacks, particularly focusing on the broader category of file format parsing vulnerabilities that affect office productivity suites and document management systems.