CVE-2015-5212 in LibreOffice
Summary
by MITRE
Integer underflow in LibreOffice before 4.4.5 and Apache OpenOffice before 4.1.2, when the configuration setting "Load printer settings with the document" is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via crafted PrinterSetup data in an ODF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-5212 represents a critical integer underflow flaw affecting LibreOffice versions prior to 4.4.5 and Apache OpenOffice versions prior to 4.1.2. This issue manifests when the configuration setting "Load printer settings with the document" is enabled, creating a dangerous condition where malformed PrinterSetup data within ODF documents can trigger system instability. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-191 category of Integer Underflow, which occurs when a signed integer is decremented below its minimum value, potentially leading to unexpected behavior in memory management and control flow. The flaw specifically impacts the handling of printer configuration data during document loading processes, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to craft malicious ODF documents containing specially formatted PrinterSetup data that triggers the integer underflow condition. When LibreOffice or Apache OpenOffice attempts to process these documents with the problematic configuration enabled, the underflow causes memory corruption that manifests as application crashes or potentially allows for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service since the memory corruption can be leveraged to execute malicious code within the application's memory space, representing a significant security risk for users who regularly open documents from external sources. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or execute code.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5212 affects organizations relying on these office suites for document processing, particularly in environments where document sharing occurs across untrusted networks or with external parties. Users who have the printer settings loading feature enabled are at heightened risk, as simply opening a malicious document can trigger the vulnerability without requiring any additional user interaction beyond document opening. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign configuration options can create security risks when combined with insufficient input validation in document processing libraries. Organizations using these software suites without proper patch management protocols face significant exposure to remote exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple document delivery methods including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5212 include immediate patching of affected LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice installations to versions 4.4.5 and 4.1.2 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes for the integer underflow condition. System administrators should disable the "Load printer settings with the document" configuration option for users who do not require this functionality, effectively neutralizing the attack vector without requiring immediate patch deployment. Additional protective measures include implementing strict document filtering policies, using sandboxed environments for document processing, and conducting regular security assessments of office suite configurations. Network-level protections such as email filtering and web content filtering can help prevent delivery of malicious documents to end users, while user education about document safety practices remains crucial for overall security posture. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow checking in document processing applications, particularly those handling external data formats like ODF that may contain embedded configuration settings.