CVE-2016-4335 in Perspective Document Filter
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable buffer overflow exists in the XLS parsing of the Lexmark Perspective Document Filters conversion functionality. A crafted XLS document can lead to a stack based buffer overflow resulting in remote code execution.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4335 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Lexmark Perspective Document Filters conversion functionality specifically targeting XLS file parsing operations. This issue resides in the document conversion pipeline where Lexmark devices process Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can exploit to execute arbitrary code remotely. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking during the parsing of XLS format files, allowing attackers to craft malicious documents that trigger the buffer overflow condition. The affected system components operate within the context of document filtering and conversion processes, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate document processing workflows. This flaw demonstrates a classic software security weakness where improper memory management allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a stack-based buffer overflow that occurs when the Lexmark Perspective Document Filters component processes specially crafted XLS files containing malicious data structures. During the parsing operation, the application fails to properly validate the size of data elements within the XLS format, specifically when handling cell data, formulas, or formatting information. This lack of bounds checking allows an attacker to provide input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing the stack to overflow and overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which classifies this as a fundamental memory safety issue where insufficient buffer size validation leads to memory corruption. The attack vector requires the victim system to process a malicious XLS document through the Lexmark device's document filtering functionality, making this a remote code execution vulnerability that can be delivered via email attachments, web downloads, or other document delivery mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4335 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential network infiltration capabilities. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected system process, potentially enabling lateral movement within network environments, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects Lexmark printers and multifunction devices that implement the Perspective Document Filters functionality, which are commonly deployed in enterprise environments where document security and processing capabilities are critical. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information, disrupt business operations, or use the compromised devices as launch points for further attacks. The remote execution capability means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the target device, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on networked printing solutions. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute commands and scripts on the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4335 should focus on immediate patching of affected Lexmark devices, implementation of network segmentation to limit exposure, and enhanced document filtering policies to prevent processing of untrusted XLS files. Organizations should prioritize updating their Lexmark device firmware to versions that address the buffer overflow vulnerability, as provided by Lexmark security advisories and patches. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and firewall rules to limit communication with affected devices, particularly in environments where document processing occurs. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying sandboxing solutions for document processing, implementing content filtering systems that scan and validate XLS files before processing, and establishing robust monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in embedded systems and document processing applications, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other document processing components and ensure ongoing protection against similar attack vectors.