CVE-2018-3984 in Word Processor
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable uninitialized length vulnerability exists within the Word document-parser of the Atlantis Word Processor 3.0.2.3 and 3.0.2.5. A specially crafted document can cause Atlantis to skip initializing a value representing the number of columns of a table. Later, the application will use this as a length within a loop that will write to a pointer on the heap. Due to this value being controlled, a buffer overflow will occur, which can lead 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 described in CVE-2018-3984 represents a critical uninitialized variable flaw within the Atlantis Word Processor software ecosystem. This issue manifests specifically within the document parsing functionality that processes word processing files, creating a pathway for remote code execution through carefully crafted malicious documents. The vulnerability exists in versions 3.0.2.3 and 3.0.2.5 of the Atlantis Word Processor, making these specific releases particularly susceptible to exploitation by threat actors. The flaw operates through a sophisticated chain of events that begins with document parsing and culminates in memory corruption, demonstrating the complex nature of modern software vulnerabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper initialization of a variable that represents the number of columns in a table structure within word processing documents. When parsing documents containing table elements, the application fails to properly initialize this critical variable before utilizing it in subsequent processing operations. This uninitialized value, which should contain a legitimate column count, instead retains whatever garbage data was previously present in memory. The application then employs this uninitialized value as a loop counter parameter, directly influencing heap memory operations through pointer dereferencing mechanisms. This pattern aligns with CWE-457, which addresses the use of uninitialized variables, and represents a classic example of how improper initialization can lead to severe memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to encompass full code execution capabilities within the context of the targeted application. When the uninitialized variable is used as a loop length parameter, it controls the number of iterations in memory writing operations, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can influence the extent of memory modifications. The heap-based memory corruption that results from this flaw provides attackers with the opportunity to manipulate application execution flow through techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct code injection. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's memory management subsystem, creating a path for privilege escalation and potential system compromise. The attack requires social engineering to convince victims to open malicious documents, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently execute harmful content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3984 should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementing robust document validation procedures. Organizations should consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to restrict execution of untrusted documents and establish strict file format validation protocols. Network-based security controls such as email filtering and web proxies can help prevent delivery of malicious documents to end users. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1204.002, which involves user execution through malicious document files, highlighting the importance of user education and awareness training. Additionally, memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention should be enabled to complicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-3984.