CVE-2013-0723 in Spreadsheets 2012
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in etxrw.dll in Kingsoft Spreadsheets 2012 8.1.0.3030 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted spreadsheet file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0723 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the etxrw.dll component of Kingsoft Spreadsheets 2012 version 8.1.0.3030. This vulnerability exists in the file parsing functionality that processes spreadsheet documents, creating a dangerous condition where maliciously crafted spreadsheet files can trigger memory corruption during the parsing process. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the spreadsheet parsing engine, specifically affecting how the software handles certain data structures in the target file format. Such buffer overflows occur when the application attempts to write more data to a heap-allocated memory region than it was originally allocated to contain, leading to memory corruption that can manifest as program crashes or potentially more severe exploitation outcomes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic heap overflow condition that can be triggered through remote exploitation via maliciously constructed spreadsheet files. When the vulnerable software processes these crafted files, the etxrw.dll module fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data elements, allowing attackers to overflow heap buffers and overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption can cause unpredictable behavior including application crashes, memory corruption, or in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the parsing of spreadsheet formats that utilize the etxrw.dll library, making it particularly dangerous for users who might encounter infected documents through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Kingsoft Spreadsheets 2012 as their primary spreadsheet application. The remote attack vector means that users can be compromised simply by opening malicious files without any additional interaction required, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns and malware distribution. The potential for arbitrary code execution elevates this from a simple denial of service vulnerability to a full remote exploitation threat that could allow attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through potential data exfiltration, integrity through memory corruption, and availability through service disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where spreadsheet files are frequently shared between users and departments, creating multiple potential attack vectors for threat actors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should begin with immediate patching of the affected software version, as Kingsoft would have released updates to address the heap overflow conditions in etxrw.dll. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that scan incoming spreadsheet files for suspicious patterns or known malicious indicators before allowing them to be processed. Network segmentation and email filtering solutions should be configured to block potentially harmful spreadsheet file types or implement sandboxing for file analysis before user access. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers could potentially use this flaw to execute malicious code on target systems. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory regions. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted spreadsheet files and monitor for unusual process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify all systems running the affected software version and ensure proper patch deployment across the enterprise environment.