CVE-2011-2713 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
oowriter in OpenOffice.org 3.3.0 and LibreOffice before 3.4.3 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted DOC file that triggers an out-of-bounds read in the DOC sprm parser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2713 represents a critical memory safety issue within the document processing components of OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice applications. This flaw exists in the oowriter module responsible for handling Microsoft Word document formats, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.4.3 in LibreOffice and 3.3.0 in OpenOffice.org. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the DOC sprm parser, which processes formatting properties stored in Microsoft Word documents. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious DOC files that contain specially designed sprm (string property) structures designed to trigger memory access violations during document parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through an out-of-bounds read condition in the DOC sprm parser component. When the vulnerable software attempts to parse a crafted DOC file, the parser encounters malformed sprm data that exceeds expected buffer boundaries. This memory access violation causes the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly, resulting in a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing or processing documents. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing phase when the software attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space, which is a classic indicator of buffer overflow vulnerabilities classified under CWE-125. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that are fundamental requirements for secure software development.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2713 extends beyond simple application instability, creating significant risks for organizations relying on document processing workflows. Users who receive malicious DOC attachments may inadvertently trigger application crashes, disrupting productivity and potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks if the vulnerability is chained with other exploits. The denial of service condition affects not only individual user experiences but also enterprise document processing systems that depend on these applications for business operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes denial of service attacks targeting application availability, and represents a common vector for disrupting business continuity through targeted application instability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2713 focus on immediate software updates and defensive measures to prevent exploitation. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to LibreOffice 3.4.3 or later versions and OpenOffice.org 3.3.1 or newer releases where the vulnerability has been patched. System administrators should implement document filtering mechanisms that scan incoming DOC files for suspicious content patterns and consider deploying sandboxing solutions that isolate document processing operations. Network-level defenses can include email filtering rules that block suspicious DOC attachments and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in patched versions typically involves enhanced input validation and proper bounds checking within the sprm parser component, ensuring that all input data is properly validated before memory access operations occur. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in preventing remote exploitation of document processing applications.