CVE-2018-3930 in Office Server
Summary
by MITRE
In Antenna House Office Server Document Converter version V6.1 Pro MR2 for Linux64 (6,1,2018,0312), a crafted Microsoft Word (DOC) document can lead to an out-of-bounds write, resulting in remote code execution. This vulnerability occurs in the `vbgetfp` method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3930 affects Antenna House Office Server Document Converter version V6.1 Pro MR2 for Linux64, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through crafted Microsoft Word documents. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the `vbgetfp` method, which processes document conversion operations and fails to properly validate input data from maliciously constructed DOC files. The flaw constitutes a buffer overflow condition that can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running the vulnerable software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the document parsing routine. When the converter processes a specially crafted Word document, the `vbgetfp` method attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, creating an out-of-bounds write condition. This memory corruption vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow and potentially inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected service. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates in a server environment where the document converter likely runs with elevated permissions, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying system.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3930 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure. Systems utilizing this document conversion service become potential entry points for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within network environments. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on automated document processing workflows, particularly those handling external document submissions or implementing document conversion services as part of their business operations. Attackers could exploit this flaw to deploy malware, establish backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks against internal network resources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches or updates for Antenna House Office Server Document Converter, restricting access to the vulnerable service through network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious document processing activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for remote code execution. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and restricting file type processing can help reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive logging of document conversion activities to detect potential compromise indicators.