CVE-2014-3575 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
The OLE preview generation in Apache OpenOffice before 4.1.1 and OpenOffice.org (OOo) might allow remote attackers to embed arbitrary data into documents via crafted OLE objects.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3575 represents a critical security flaw in the OLE preview generation functionality of Apache OpenOffice versions prior to 4.1.1 and OpenOffice.org. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the software's handling of OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) objects, which are commonly used for embedding complex data within documents. The flaw allows malicious actors to craft specially designed OLE objects that can be embedded into documents, potentially enabling unauthorized data insertion and manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the document processing pipeline where Apache OpenOffice parses and renders OLE objects for preview purposes. When the software encounters crafted OLE objects, it fails to properly validate the structure and content of these objects before incorporating them into the document. This insufficient validation creates an attack surface where remote adversaries can inject arbitrary data that may execute in the context of the application or modify document contents in unexpected ways. The vulnerability specifically affects the preview generation mechanism, meaning that simply opening a document containing malicious OLE objects could trigger the exploitation without requiring additional user interaction beyond normal document opening procedures.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3575 extends beyond simple document corruption, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including arbitrary code execution, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation within the affected system. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to create documents that appear legitimate but contain hidden malicious payloads that activate when the document is opened or previewed. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited context, and represents a classic example of how preview mechanisms can become attack vectors. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through loaded libraries and privilege escalation through document manipulation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Apache OpenOffice 4.1.1 or later versions, which contain patches addressing the OLE preview generation flaws. System administrators should also consider implementing document scanning and validation policies that restrict the types of OLE objects allowed in organizational documents. Network-level controls such as content filtering and sandboxing of document previews can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in preview and rendering components, as these features are often overlooked during security assessments despite their potential to serve as attack entry points. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical in preventing exploitation of such vulnerabilities that may remain unpatched for extended periods.