CVE-2011-2685 in LibreOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Lotus Word Pro import filter in LibreOffice before 3.3.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .lwp file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2685 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Lotus Word Pro import filter of LibreOffice versions prior to 3.3.3. This security weakness resides in the software's handling of maliciously crafted .lwp files, which are native document formats used by the Lotus Word Pro word processing application. The buffer overflow occurs when LibreOffice attempts to process these files through its import filter, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the Lotus Word Pro import module. When a specially crafted .lwp file is processed, the filter fails to properly bounds-check data structures, allowing an attacker to overflow the allocated stack buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations. This overflow can be carefully manipulated to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data within the program's execution context. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented and dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to organizations using LibreOffice versions before 3.3.3 as their primary office suite. Attackers can remotely deliver malicious .lwp files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making the attack surface extremely broad. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running LibreOffice, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The attack requires no special privileges beyond the ability to deliver a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open compromised documents.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access through malicious files and privilege escalation. The attack chain typically begins with social engineering or automated delivery of the malicious .lwp file, followed by successful exploitation of the buffer overflow to gain code execution. Organizations may also face indirect impacts through supply chain attacks if the vulnerable LibreOffice is part of larger software distributions or if users download documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's remote nature means that traditional network-based security controls may not prevent exploitation, requiring more comprehensive endpoint protection and application whitelisting measures.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2685 include immediate upgrading to LibreOffice 3.3.3 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. System administrators should also implement strict file validation policies, disable unnecessary import filters for untrusted documents, and deploy sandboxing technologies to isolate document processing activities. Network-based protections such as email filtering and web proxies can help reduce the likelihood of malicious .lwp files reaching end users, while regular security awareness training can help prevent social engineering attacks that might deliver these payloads. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application control solutions that restrict execution of vulnerable software versions and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential compromise scenarios.