CVE-2024-36474: Gnome Libgsf Integer Overflow RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-36474 Overview

An integer overflow vulnerability exists in the Compound Document Binary File format parser of the GNOME Project G Structured File Library (libgsf) version v1.14.52. A specially crafted file can result in an integer overflow when processing the directory from the file that allows for an out-of-bounds index to be used when reading and writing to an array. This can lead to arbitrary code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.

Critical Impact

This integer overflow vulnerability enables attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution by delivering a maliciously crafted Compound Document Binary File, potentially leading to complete system compromise when a user opens the file.

Affected Products

• GNOME libgsf version 1.14.52
• Applications utilizing libgsf for document parsing
• Linux distributions shipping vulnerable libgsf versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-10-03 - CVE-2024-36474 published to NVD
• 2025-11-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-36474

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-36474 is classified as an Integer Overflow vulnerability (CWE-190) residing within the GNOME libgsf library's Compound Document Binary File format parser. The libgsf library is widely used across GNOME desktop applications and other software for handling structured file formats, including Microsoft Office documents and other OLE-based file types.

The vulnerability is triggered during the processing of directory entries within a Compound Document Binary File. When parsing the directory structure, an integer overflow condition can occur due to improper validation of size or count values. This overflow causes subsequent array index calculations to produce incorrect values, enabling out-of-bounds memory access during both read and write operations.

The local attack vector requires user interaction—specifically, a victim must open a malicious file. Despite this requirement, the vulnerability remains concerning because document files are commonly shared and opened in everyday workflows. The ability to achieve arbitrary code execution means an attacker could gain the same privileges as the user running the vulnerable application.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-36474 is insufficient integer bounds checking when processing directory entries in Compound Document Binary Files. When the parser calculates array indices or buffer sizes based on values read from the file, it fails to properly validate that these calculations do not wrap around due to integer overflow. This allows attackers to craft files with specially chosen values that trigger the overflow condition, resulting in an exploitable out-of-bounds array access.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access with user interaction. An attacker must craft a malicious Compound Document Binary File containing specially engineered directory values designed to trigger the integer overflow. When a victim opens this file using an application that relies on libgsf for parsing (such as GNOME document viewers, spreadsheet applications, or file managers with preview capabilities), the vulnerable code path is executed.

The malicious file's directory structure contains values that, when processed, cause an integer overflow in the index calculation. This results in memory corruption through out-of-bounds array writes, which can be leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application. Technical details of the exploitation mechanism can be found in the Talos Vulnerability Report #TALOS-2024-2068.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-36474

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of Compound Document Binary Files with anomalous or malformed directory structures
• Unusual crashes or memory access violations in applications using libgsf
• Unexpected child processes spawned from document viewing applications
• Memory corruption artifacts in libgsf-dependent application logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for abnormal behavior in applications utilizing libgsf, including unexpected memory allocation patterns
• Implement file scanning for malformed Compound Document Binary Files before allowing user access
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying exploitation attempts targeting document parsing libraries
• Use application-level sandboxing to contain potential exploitation of document parsers

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable crash reporting and analyze core dumps from applications using libgsf for signs of exploitation
• Monitor system calls from document viewing applications for suspicious activity such as unexpected process creation
• Implement logging for file access events involving OLE/Compound Document formats
• Track libgsf library version deployment across systems to identify vulnerable installations

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-36474

Immediate Actions Required

• Update libgsf to a patched version that addresses CVE-2024-36474
• Audit systems for vulnerable libgsf version 1.14.52 installations
• Limit exposure by restricting opening of untrusted Compound Document files
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions with behavioral analysis capabilities to detect exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Security patches addressing this vulnerability are available through GNOME and distribution maintainers. Debian has released a security advisory addressing this issue through the Debian LTS Advisory. Users should consult their distribution's package manager for updated libgsf packages. Additional details regarding the fix can be found in the GNOME libgsf Issue Report.

Workarounds

• Avoid opening Compound Document Binary Files from untrusted or unknown sources
• Use application sandboxing technologies (such as Flatpak, Snap, or Firejail) to isolate applications that process document files
• Implement network-level filtering to scan and quarantine potentially malicious document attachments
• Consider temporarily disabling document preview functionality in file managers until patching is complete

# Check installed libgsf version on Debian/Ubuntu systems
dpkg -l | grep libgsf

# Update libgsf on Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade libgsf-1-114

# Check installed libgsf version on RHEL/Fedora systems
rpm -qa | grep libgsf

# Update libgsf on RHEL/Fedora
sudo dnf update libgsf