CVE-2018-3978 in Word Processor
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the Word Document parser of the Atlantis Word Processor 3.0.2.3, 3.0.2.5. A specially crafted document can cause Atlantis to write a value outside the bounds of a heap allocation, resulting in a buffer overflow. An attacker must convince a victim to open a document in order to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3978 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the Atlantis Word Processor software, specifically affecting versions 3.0.2.3 and 3.0.2.5. This issue manifests within the word document parser component, which is responsible for interpreting and processing document structures. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices during document parsing operations. When a maliciously crafted document is processed by the application, the parser fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations, leading to unauthorized memory writes beyond allocated heap regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed document that triggers an out-of-bounds memory write condition. During document parsing, the application allocates memory for specific data structures but fails to validate that subsequent write operations remain within allocated boundaries. This flaw allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program state or executing arbitrary code. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds writes, and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince victims to open the malicious document, making it a client-side exploitation scenario.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects users who regularly process documents from untrusted sources, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where document sharing is common. Additionally, the vulnerability's exploitation requires no special privileges or system access, as it operates entirely within the application's user-space processing environment. This makes it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise end-user systems through document-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3978 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as this vulnerability affects a specific version range of the Atlantis Word Processor. Organizations should implement document sanitization policies and restrict the opening of untrusted documents, particularly those received via email or downloaded from unknown sources. Network-based security controls such as email filtering and web proxies can help prevent delivery of malicious documents to users. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under initial access techniques, specifically using malicious documents as attack vectors. Regular security awareness training for users can help reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability, while application whitelisting can prevent execution of untrusted document processing applications.