CVE-2014-9527: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition in Apache POI
Summary
CVE-2014-9527: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition in Apache POI. Affects org.apache.poi:poi versions < 3.11. Fixed in 3.11. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- libapache-poi-java · Debian:11
The same CVE-2014-9527 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
Apache POI is a popular Java library used for reading and writing Microsoft Office file formats, including PowerPoint presentations. It provides APIs to manipulate and extract data from these files. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9527 affects versions of Apache POI prior to 3.11. This vulnerability specifically impacts the HSLFSlideShow component of Apache POI, which is responsible for handling PPT files. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by exploiting an infinite loop and deadlock in the library when processing a crafted PPT file.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises due to a flaw in the HSLFSlideShow component of Apache POI. By providing a specially crafted PPT file, an attacker can trigger an infinite loop and deadlock within the library. This can lead to a denial of service condition, causing the affected application to become unresponsive or crash. The impact of this vulnerability is limited to applications that utilize Apache POI for processing PowerPoint files. Successful exploitation requires the attacker to trick a user into opening a malicious PPT file using the vulnerable version of Apache POI.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.11
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to upgrade to the fixed version of Apache POI as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Conclusion
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9527 in Apache POI can lead to a denial of service condition in applications that utilize the library for processing PowerPoint files. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to upgrade to Apache POI version 3.11 or later. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for org.apache.poi:poi →
FAQ
Apache POI is a Java library for reading and writing Microsoft Office file formats, including PowerPoint presentations.
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by exploiting an infinite loop and deadlock in Apache POI when processing a crafted PPT file.
To fix this vulnerability, you should upgrade to Apache POI version 3.11 or later.
No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to upgrade to the fixed version of Apache POI.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, using just the pom.xml file of your project.
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