CVE-2014-3587 in file
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the cdf_read_property_info function in cdf.c in file through 5.19, as used in the Fileinfo component in PHP before 5.4.32 and 5.5.x before 5.5.16, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted CDF file. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2012-1571.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3587 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the Compound Document File (CDF) parsing functionality of PHP's Fileinfo component. This issue affects PHP versions prior to 5.4.32 and 5.5.x prior to 5.5.16, where the cdf_read_property_info function in cdf.c file demonstrates insufficient input validation when processing Compound Document Format files. The vulnerability stems from an incomplete remediation of a previously addressed flaw, CVE-2012-1571, which indicates that developers may have overlooked the full scope of the integer overflow potential within the CDF parsing logic.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the cdf_read_property_info function where integer arithmetic operations fail to properly validate input values from crafted CDF files. When processing maliciously constructed compound document files, the function performs calculations that can exceed the maximum representable value for signed integers, causing the application to behave unpredictably. This integer overflow condition results in memory corruption that manifests as application crashes or system instability, fundamentally compromising the availability of the affected PHP service. The vulnerability specifically targets the Compound Document Format parsing engine which is used to analyze and extract metadata from various document types including older Microsoft Office formats.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant denial of service risk for web applications that rely on PHP's Fileinfo extension for file type detection and validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading or processing specially crafted CDF files that trigger the integer overflow condition, leading to complete application crashes and service unavailability. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the vulnerability can potentially be leveraged in broader attack chains where persistent application instability creates opportunities for further exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Denial of Service through resource exhaustion or application instability.
The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of affected PHP installations to versions 5.4.32 or 5.5.16 and later, which contain the complete fix for both CVE-2012-1571 and CVE-2014-3587. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation for file uploads, sandboxing of file processing operations, and monitoring for unusual application crash patterns. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering suspicious file content before it reaches the PHP processing layer. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected PHP versions and prioritize patch deployment based on risk exposure and business criticality.