Windows Installer Execution of Arbitrary Code with Elevated Privileges
Version 1.0
Announced October 11, 2016
Description
The Apache OpenOffice installer for Winodws contained a defective operation that allows execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The location in which the installer is run may have been previously poisoned by a file that impersonates a dynamic-link library that the installer depends upon. The counterfeit is operated instead because of a search path defect in the installer. The counterfeit will be operated under the administrative privileges of the OpenOffice installer, compromising the users's PC.
Severity: Medium
There are no known exploits of this vulnerabilty.
A proof-of-concept demonstration exists.
Vendor: The Apache Software Foundation
Versions Affected
All Apache OpenOffice versions 4.1.2 and older are affected.
OpenOffice.org versions are also affected.
Mitigation
Install Apache OpenOffice 4.1.3 for the latest maintenance and cumulative security fixes. Use the Apache OpenOffice download page.
Defenses and Work-Arounds
If you are unable to update to 4.1.3, there are other precautions
that can be taken. These precausions are also recommended as protection against other software that may have the vulnerability.
When executing .exe installers, ensure that the installer is in a file folder that has no other files but the installer .exe file.
If an installer proposes a folder to extract the setup files
into before the actual install, choose the name of a folder that is not in use. Delete such a folder of setup files after the installation completes successfully. To reinstall without
downloading again, preserve the installer .exe on private
removable storage.
Further Information
For additional information and assistance, consult the Apache OpenOffice Community Forums, or make requests to the users@openoffice.apache.org public mailing list. Defects not involving suspected security vulnerabilities can be reported with a normal issue via Bugzilla.
The latest information on Apache OpenOffice security bulletins can be found at the Bulletin Archive page.
Credits
The Apache OpenOffice project acknowledges the reporting and analysis for CVE-2016-6804 by Stefan Kanthak and by Himanshu Mehta.
