CVE-2010-0739 in TeX Live
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the predospecial function in dospecial.c in dvips in (1) TeX Live and (2) teTeX might allow user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DVI file that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0739 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the dvips component of TeX Live and teTeX document processing systems. This issue resides in the predospecial function located in the dospecial.c source file, where improper handling of integer values during DVI file processing creates conditions that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability manifests when a specially crafted DVI file is processed, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow that can potentially enable arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow, which occurs when an operation on a signed integer value results in a value that exceeds the maximum representable value for that integer type.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious DVI file that triggers the specific code path containing the integer overflow condition. When the dvips utility processes such a file, the predospecial function fails to properly validate or handle integer values, causing an overflow that subsequently leads to heap corruption. The heap-based buffer overflow occurs because the application allocates memory based on the corrupted integer value, creating a situation where subsequent memory operations can overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the dvips utility, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might process untrusted documents.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0739 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to document processing systems that rely on TeX Live or teTeX for rendering and conversion tasks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely through user-assisted means, requiring only that a victim process a maliciously crafted DVI file. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in environments where users frequently exchange documents, such as academic institutions, publishing houses, or collaborative work environments. The vulnerability affects systems where dvips is used to convert DVI files to PostScript format, which is a common operation in LaTeX document processing workflows. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique, specifically leveraging heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0739 focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. The most effective approach involves updating to patched versions of TeX Live or teTeX that address the integer overflow condition in the predospecial function. System administrators should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for DVI files, particularly in environments where users might process untrusted documents. Additionally, deploying sandboxing mechanisms or restricted execution environments for document processing utilities can help contain potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper integer overflow checking and memory management in document processing applications, emphasizing that such security issues can have far-reaching consequences in widely used software tools. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to systems processing documents through these vulnerable components.