CVE-2018-3982 in Word Processor
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable arbitrary write vulnerability exists in the Word document parser of the Atlantis Word Processor 3.0.2.3 and 3.0.2.5. A specially crafted document can prevent Atlas from adding elements to an array that is indexed by a loop. When reading from this array, the application will use an out-of-bounds index which can result in arbitrary data being read as a pointer. Later, when the application attempts to write to said pointer, an arbitrary write will occur. This can allow an attacker to further corrupt memory, which leads to code execution under the context of the application. 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-2018-3982 represents a critical arbitrary write flaw within the Atlantis Word Processor software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 3.0.2.3 and 3.0.2.5. This security weakness manifests through the application's document parsing mechanism, where maliciously crafted Word documents can exploit fundamental memory management errors. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of buffer management and pointer dereferencing, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate application execution flow through carefully constructed input data. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflows and out-of-bounds memory access patterns that have been historically documented in software security literature.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper array boundary checking during document parsing operations. When the Atlantis Word Processor processes a specially crafted Word document, it fails to adequately validate array indices during loop iterations, leading to an array overflow condition. This specific failure creates a scenario where subsequent memory reads utilize invalid array indices, effectively transforming memory locations into pointer values that can be manipulated. The vulnerability architecture aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attacker-controlled pointer dereferencing creates a direct pathway for memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to encompass full code execution capabilities within the application context. When the application attempts to write to the manipulated pointer address, it creates an arbitrary write condition that allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, including function pointers, return addresses, or other program control structures. This arbitrary write capability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering to convince users to open malicious documents, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing is common.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3982 should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases of the Atlantis Word Processor. Organizations should implement document sanitization protocols that scan for potentially malicious content before processing, particularly focusing on Word document structures that might trigger the vulnerable parsing code paths. Network-based defenses should include content filtering systems that can identify and block suspicious document attachments, while endpoint protection solutions should monitor for unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications, particularly those handling untrusted user data. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of older versions of the software until proper patching can be verified across all systems.