CVE-2015-1774 in OpenOffice
Summary
by MITRE
The HWP filter in LibreOffice before 4.3.7 and 4.4.x before 4.4.2 and Apache OpenOffice before 4.1.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted HWP document, which triggers an out-of-bounds write.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1774 represents a critical security flaw in the HWP filter component of LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice applications. This issue affects versions prior to 4.3.7 for LibreOffice and 4.4.2 for the 4.4.x series, as well as Apache OpenOffice versions before 4.1.2. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the handling of Hangul Word Processor files, which are commonly used in Korean text processing environments. The flaw manifests when these applications process maliciously crafted HWP documents that contain malformed data structures designed to exploit memory handling mechanisms within the software's filter system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the HWP filter attempts to parse and process specially constructed document elements. This memory corruption vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of HWP file structures, allowing attackers to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer. The flaw is classified under CWE-787 as an out-of-bounds write condition, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause the affected applications to crash or, in more sophisticated attacks, allow remote code execution through carefully crafted malicious documents.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1774 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a potential vector for remote code execution within targeted environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious HWP documents through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability affects users who process documents from untrusted sources, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document processing is common. The flaw is particularly concerning because HWP files are widely used in Korean business and academic environments, making the attack surface substantial. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1774 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the respective vendors. Organizations should prioritize updating their LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice installations to versions 4.3.7 or later for LibreOffice and 4.1.2 or later for Apache OpenOffice. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as email filtering and web content filtering can help prevent the delivery of malicious HWP documents to end users. Security administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for document processing, particularly for untrusted documents, to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security patch management and input validation practices in preventing memory corruption exploits. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file processing activities and monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting similar memory safety vulnerabilities.