CVE-2010-3454 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple off-by-one errors in the WW8DopTypography::ReadFromMem function in oowriter in OpenOffice.org (OOo) 2.x and 3.x before 3.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via crafted typography information in a Microsoft Word .DOC file that triggers an out-of-bounds write.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3454 represents a critical security flaw within the OpenOffice.org document processing engine, specifically affecting versions 2.x and 3.x prior to 3.3. This issue resides in the WW8DopTypography::ReadFromMem function which handles typography information parsing within Microsoft Word .DOC files. The flaw manifests as multiple off-by-one errors that occur during memory operations, creating a scenario where the application fails to properly validate bounds when processing crafted typography data. These errors fundamentally compromise the memory management integrity of the document processing module, making it susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors who can manipulate the input data to trigger unintended behavior.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper boundary checking within the typography parsing routine, which falls under the CWE-129 weakness category for improper validation of array indices. When OpenOffice.org encounters a specially crafted .DOC file containing malformed typography information, the WW8DopTypography::ReadFromMem function attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. This out-of-bounds write condition creates a predictable pattern of memory corruption that can be exploited to either crash the application through controlled memory access violations or potentially execute arbitrary code by manipulating the program flow through corrupted memory regions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger these conditions without physical access to the target system, simply by enticing users to open malicious documents.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3454 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the potential for arbitrary code execution places organizations at significant risk of compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deliver malware payloads, establish persistent access, or escalate privileges within affected systems. The widespread use of OpenOffice.org in enterprise environments, particularly in document processing workflows, amplifies the potential attack surface. Organizations relying on these older versions face immediate security risks since the vulnerability affects multiple major release lines, making it particularly dangerous for businesses that have not yet migrated to patched versions. The vulnerability also impacts the broader ecosystem of document processing applications that may share similar parsing mechanisms or code patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected OpenOffice.org installations to version 3.3 or later, where the memory boundary checking has been properly implemented. System administrators should implement strict document filtering policies that prevent the automatic opening of .DOC files from untrusted sources, particularly in high-risk environments. Network-level controls can be deployed to scan incoming documents for suspicious typography patterns, though this approach may not be comprehensive given the complexity of the exploit conditions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for layered defenses including application whitelisting, sandboxed document processing environments, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous memory access patterns consistent with out-of-bounds write conditions.