CVE-2012-2334 in LibreOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in filter/source/msfilter/msdffimp.cxx 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 (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via the length of an Escher graphics record in a PowerPoint (.ppt) document, which triggers a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2334 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Microsoft Office document import functionality of OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice applications. This issue specifically affects the msdffimp.cxx file within the filter/source/msfilter component, which handles the parsing of Escher graphics records from Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) files. The flaw occurs when processing the length field of these graphics records, creating a condition where an attacker can manipulate the input data to cause arithmetic overflow during buffer allocation calculations. The vulnerability exists in OpenOffice.org versions 3.3 and 3.4 Beta, as well as in earlier releases, while LibreOffice remains affected until version 3.5.3, making it a widespread concern across the office suite ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient bounds checking within the Escher record parsing logic. When a malicious PowerPoint document is loaded, the application reads the length field of an Escher graphics record without adequate verification of its value. This allows an attacker to specify an extremely large length value that, when processed through arithmetic operations, overflows the integer data type used for buffer size calculations. The resulting overflow produces a buffer that is either significantly smaller than anticipated or wraps around to a negative value, leading to memory corruption when the application attempts to allocate or access memory regions. This memory corruption directly translates to either application crashes through segmentation faults or potentially arbitrary code execution if the corrupted memory can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2334 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution in vulnerable environments. Attackers can craft specially crafted PowerPoint documents that, when opened by a victim using affected versions of OpenOffice.org or LibreOffice, trigger the integer overflow condition. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from external sources, as it can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The potential for arbitrary code execution makes this vulnerability a prime target for advanced persistent threats, as it could allow attackers to establish backdoors, escalate privileges, or gain complete system control. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities through malicious document files. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these office suites are commonly used across multiple platforms, increasing the potential attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2334 should focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security measures to reduce exposure. Organizations must prioritize updating to patched versions of OpenOffice.org 3.4 and LibreOffice 3.5.3 or later, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the integer overflow condition. Until patches can be deployed, users should exercise extreme caution when opening PowerPoint documents from untrusted sources, implementing strict file validation policies and sandboxing techniques. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious Office documents before they reach end-user systems. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement automated threat hunting procedures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and integer handling in security-critical applications, reinforcing the need for comprehensive code review processes and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards and best practices.