CVE-2012-0037 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Redland Raptor (aka libraptor) before 2.0.7, as used by OpenOffice 3.3 and 3.4 Beta, LibreOffice before 3.4.6 and 3.5.x before 3.5.1, and other products, allows user-assisted remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted XML external entity (XXE) declaration and reference in an RDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0037 represents a critical security flaw in the Redland Raptor library, which serves as a foundational component for RDF (Resource Description Framework) processing across numerous software applications. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of libraptor prior to 2.0.7 and has been widely prevalent in productivity suites including OpenOffice 3.3 and 3.4 Beta, as well as various versions of LibreOffice before 3.4.6 and 3.5.x before 3.5.1. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of XML external entity declarations within RDF documents, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted XXE attacks.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability operates through the exploitation of XML external entity processing, which is a well-documented attack vector categorized under CWE-611 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. When the affected libraptor library processes an RDF document containing a malicious XML external entity declaration, it fails to properly sanitize or restrict the processing of these entities. This allows attackers to construct RDF documents that reference external entities pointing to arbitrary local files on the system. The library's inadequate input validation means that when these crafted documents are processed, the system attempts to resolve and read the specified external entities, effectively enabling unauthorized file access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to read arbitrary files from the target system. This can include sensitive configuration files, user data, system credentials, or other confidential information stored locally. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must open or process the malicious RDF document, typically through an application that utilizes the vulnerable libraptor library. This makes the attack vector particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted RDF content through email attachments, web downloads, or collaborative documents. The vulnerability essentially transforms a document processing function into a potential data exfiltration mechanism, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where document security is paramount.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Initial Access' and 'Credential Access' domains, specifically leveraging the 'XML External Entity (XXE) Injection' technique. Organizations using affected software versions face substantial risk of data breaches, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to access sensitive information without requiring direct system compromise. The widespread adoption of libraptor across multiple office suites and applications amplifies the potential impact, as a single vulnerability can affect numerous endpoints simultaneously. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape that includes other XXE-related issues, particularly when assessing the security posture of document processing applications in enterprise environments.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0037 primarily involve immediate patching of affected software versions to libraptor 2.0.7 or later, which includes proper input validation and external entity handling. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious RDF content, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted documents. Application-level sandboxing and content filtering mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments should include verification of library versions and proper configuration of XML parsers to prevent external entity resolution. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and implementing comprehensive input validation across all document processing components to prevent similar XXE-related issues from compromising system security.