CVE-2011-5002 in Finaldraft
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Final Draft 8 before 8.02 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a .fdx or .fdxt file with long (1) Word, (2) Transition, (3) Location, (4) Extension, (5) SceneIntro, (6) TimeOfDay, and (7) Character elements.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5002 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting Final Draft 8 before version 8.02, a widely used screenplay writing software in the entertainment industry. This vulnerability manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the application's parsing of .fdx and .fdxt file formats, which are proprietary document formats used by Final Draft for storing screenplay data. The flaw specifically targets seven distinct XML elements within these files, including Word, Transition, Location, Extension, SceneIntro, TimeOfDay, and Character fields, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various data entry points within the document structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly bounds-check input data when processing these specific XML elements during file parsing operations. When maliciously crafted .fdx or .fdxt files containing excessively long strings in any of the seven targeted elements are processed, the application's stack memory management fails to prevent buffer overflow conditions. This occurs because the software uses fixed-size buffers to store data from these elements without adequate validation of string lengths, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations with carefully crafted malicious data. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on systems where vulnerable versions of Final Draft are installed. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by distributing maliciously crafted screenplay files through various vectors including email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that screenplay writers and production teams frequently exchange documents through collaborative workflows, making the attack vector highly accessible. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5002 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Final Draft, as well as implementing defensive measures such as restricting file type associations for .fdx and .fdxt files, deploying application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security assessments of document handling processes. Organizations should also consider network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file content patterns and implement email filtering mechanisms to prevent malicious documents from reaching end users. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in preventing exploitation of buffer overflow conditions, particularly in applications that process structured data formats from external sources.