CVE-2012-1149 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the vclmi.dll module in OpenOffice.org (OOo) 3.3, 3.4 Beta, and possibly earlier, and LibreOffice before 3.5.3, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted embedded image object, as demonstrated by a JPEG image in a .DOC file, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1149 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the vclmi.dll module of OpenOffice.org versions 3.3 and 3.4 Beta, as well as in LibreOffice prior to version 3.5.3. This vulnerability resides in the image handling component of these office suites, specifically affecting how they process embedded image objects within document files. The flaw manifests when processing crafted image data, particularly JPEG images embedded within .DOC files, creating a condition where integer arithmetic operations exceed their maximum representable values. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow, which occurs when an operation on signed or unsigned integers produces a result that exceeds the maximum value that can be represented by the data type. This particular flaw demonstrates the classic pattern of heap-based buffer overflow that can be exploited to cause system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of image metadata or image data structure within embedded objects. When OpenOffice.org or LibreOffice attempts to parse a crafted JPEG image embedded within a Microsoft Word document, the vclmi.dll module fails to properly validate integer values used for buffer allocation or memory management calculations. This improper validation leads to a situation where the calculated buffer size becomes negative or exceeds the maximum allowable value, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory or attempt to access memory beyond allocated boundaries. The resulting heap corruption can trigger application crashes or, in more sophisticated exploitation scenarios, allow attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics aligned with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may unknowingly open malicious documents. The vulnerability affects users of multiple office suite applications, as both OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice share similar codebases and architectural patterns. The attack vector involves a remote user or attacker sending a malicious document containing a crafted JPEG image, which when opened by an affected application triggers the integer overflow condition. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for email-based attacks or document sharing platforms where users may receive untrusted documents from external sources. The vulnerability's potential for arbitrary code execution places it in the high-risk category for security professionals, as it can serve as a foothold for more extensive compromise of systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1149 should focus on immediate application updates and patch management, with affected organizations prioritizing the deployment of security patches for OpenOffice.org 3.4 and LibreOffice 3.5.3 or later versions. System administrators should implement strict document validation policies, particularly for documents received from external sources or untrusted origins, and consider implementing sandboxing techniques for document processing. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection mechanisms in software development, particularly for memory management functions. Organizations should also consider network-based detection measures using intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious document handling activities and implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted office suite components. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening documents from unknown sources remains critical in reducing exploitation success rates. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security assessments and proper code review processes that can identify and prevent integer overflow conditions in memory management routines.