CVE-2014-0247 in LibreOffice
Summary
by MITRE
LibreOffice 4.2.4 executes unspecified VBA macros automatically, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors, possibly related to doc/docmacromode.cxx.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0247 affects LibreOffice version 4.2.4 and represents a significant security flaw in the document processing software's handling of VBA macros. This issue stems from the application's automatic execution of unspecified VBA macros without proper user consent or awareness, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it involves the core functionality of document processing software where users expect to maintain control over macro execution. The affected component appears to be located in the docmacromode.cxx file, which suggests this is a critical module responsible for managing macro execution modes and security policies within the document processing framework. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors indicates that this vulnerability could potentially enable a wide range of malicious activities including remote code execution, data exfiltration, or system compromise.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-489, which describes the presence of dead code or unused code that can be exploited by attackers. The automatic execution behavior violates fundamental security principles of user consent and explicit authorization for potentially dangerous operations. When LibreOffice automatically executes VBA macros, it creates a scenario where malicious actors can craft documents that contain harmful code that executes without user knowledge or approval, essentially bypassing the software's security controls. The attack vectors for this vulnerability are particularly dangerous because they can be delivered through routine document sharing mechanisms, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious documents. This flaw essentially transforms the document processing environment into an automatic execution environment that lacks proper sandboxing or security boundaries, allowing potentially malicious code to operate with the privileges of the user running the application.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0247 is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems through document-based attacks. The vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on target systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or the installation of additional malware. The automatic nature of the macro execution means that users cannot protect themselves through simple awareness or manual intervention, as the software will execute malicious code without any user interaction or warning. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from external sources or colleagues, creating numerous potential entry points for attackers. The impact extends beyond individual user systems to potentially affect entire organizational networks, as the compromised system could serve as a pivot point for lateral movement and further attacks. Organizations relying on LibreOffice for document processing are essentially exposed to a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by threat actors without requiring any specialized knowledge or tools beyond creating malicious documents.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0247 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution is to upgrade to a patched version of LibreOffice where the automatic macro execution behavior has been corrected and proper user consent mechanisms have been implemented. System administrators should also consider implementing macro security policies that restrict or disable macro execution for documents from untrusted sources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables the execution of malicious code through document-based attacks. Organizations should deploy application whitelisting solutions to prevent the execution of unauthorized macros and implement network monitoring to detect suspicious macro execution patterns. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening documents from unknown sources and the importance of verifying document origins before opening them. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and security-by-design principles in document processing software, where automatic execution of potentially malicious code should never occur without explicit user consent and clear warnings about potential risks.