CVE-2010-1424 in Ichitaro
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in JustSystems Ichitaro and Ichitaro Government 2006 through 2010 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted font file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1424 represents a critical security flaw affecting JustSystems Ichitaro and Ichitaro Government software versions 2006 through 2010. This issue falls under the category of code execution vulnerabilities that can be exploited through user-assisted remote attacks, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document processing is common. The vulnerability specifically resides in the software's handling of font files, which are essential components for proper document rendering and formatting. Font processing is a common attack vector in office applications because these files are frequently embedded in documents and can be processed automatically when documents are opened. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that the underlying flaw may involve improper memory management or buffer handling when processing maliciously crafted font data, potentially leading to stack or heap corruption that could be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates how font parsing libraries can become attack surfaces for sophisticated exploitation techniques. When a user opens a document containing a malicious font file, the software's font processing engine attempts to parse and render the font data, which triggers the vulnerable code path. This vulnerability is classified as a user-assisted remote code execution flaw, meaning that an attacker must convince a victim to open a specially crafted document, but once triggered, the exploitation can occur without further user interaction. The attack vector operates through the typical office document workflow where users expect to be able to open and view documents without security concerns, making this type of vulnerability particularly effective in social engineering campaigns. The flaw likely involves improper bounds checking or memory allocation when processing font metadata, potentially creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory locations or redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1424 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited in targeted attacks. Organizations using affected versions of Ichitaro software face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation through this vulnerability. The vulnerability's presence in government versions of the software raises particular concerns about potential compromise of sensitive information systems, as these applications are often used for official document processing and may contain classified or protected data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to networks, deploy additional malware, or conduct advanced persistent threat operations. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that traditional email filtering and network security measures may not prevent exploitation, as the attack requires human interaction but can be automated through social engineering tactics.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying vendor-provided patches or updates to affected software versions, as these typically contain fixes for the font parsing routines that were identified as vulnerable. Organizations should implement strict document filtering policies that prevent automatic execution of embedded fonts or external font references, particularly in high-security environments. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security awareness training can reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted document processing applications can provide defense-in-depth protection. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with various security standards including those from the national institute of standards and technology nist and the center for internet security cis, which emphasize the importance of keeping software up to date and implementing proper access controls. The vulnerability also maps to several attack techniques in the mitre att&ck framework, particularly those related to initial access through malicious documents and execution through office applications, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection strategies that address both the specific vulnerability and broader attack patterns.