Case Studies of Bugs in Productivity Software and Game Extensions/Plugins (2018–2024)
To address the question, we’ve gathered over 20 documented cases of bugs in extensions or plugins for productivity software (like Office add-ins, browser extensions for productivity tools) and gaming platforms (game engine plugins and mods). Each case includes the bug ID or CVE (if available), affected extension and platform, bug type, root cause, impact on the host system, and the resolution or fix. We then analyze common patterns and their broader impacts on stability, maintainability, and security.
Below is the consolidated report in a table format. The table lists 21 documented cases (both for productivity software plugins and gaming mods/plugins) where the bugs occur within the extensions/plugins themselves (not in the core software). Each row includes the case number, Bug ID/CVE (or N/A if not available), the affected extension and its platform, the bug type, a brief description of the root cause (with the reference link included as part of the text), the impact on the host system, and the resolution/fix (with links as needed).
Table: Bugs in Productivity Software and Game Extensions/Plugins
| Case # | Bug ID / CVE | Affected Extension (Platform) | Bug Type | Root Cause | Impact on Host System | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CVE-2021-21470 | SAP EPM Add-in for Microsoft Office (Excel) | Security – XXE Injection | Insecure XML parsing that did not disable external entities (SAP Security Note) | Allows XXE leading to data leak and potential injection | Patch issued in SAP Security Note 3000291; update to version post-1010. |
| 2 | CVE-2017-3823 | Cisco WebEx Meetings Extension (Chrome/Firefox/IE) | Security – Remote Code Execution | Exposed native function (atgpcext) without proper input validation (Tenable Blog) |
Remote attacker can execute arbitrary code via a malicious webpage | Update to version 1.0.7 which removes the vulnerable API. |
| 3 | CVE-2017-6753 | Cisco WebEx Extension (Chrome/Firefox) | Security – Remote Code Execution | Incomplete sanitization of API responses allowed crafted input to trigger code execution (Tenable Blog) | Full system compromise if exploited by a malicious webpage | Patched in version 1.0.12; update required. |
| 4 | CVE-2019-12592 | Evernote Web Clipper (Chrome) | Security – Universal XSS | Failed to enforce domain isolation, allowing cross-site script injection (PortsWigger Daily Swig) | Attacker can steal data from any active session across domains | Patched in version 7.11.1; update via the Chrome Web Store. |
| 5 | N/A (Project Zero) | Grammarly Extension (Chrome/Firefox) | Security – Auth Token Leak | Exposed auth token via an API endpoint lacking proper origin checks (The Hacker News) | Allows any website to hijack the user’s Grammarly account and access documents | Fixed in an update on February 2, 2018; token access is now restricted. |
| 6 | CVE-2019-16371 | LastPass Password Manager Extension (Chrome, Opera) | Security – Credential Leak/Clickjacking | UI logic flaw with inadequate clickjacking defenses led to autofill in an unintended context (PacktPub) | Exposes credentials from previously visited sites to malicious webpages | Patched in version 4.33.0; users must update. |
| 7 | CVE-2020-11806 | MailStore Outlook Add-in (Microsoft Outlook, Windows) | Security – Insecure SSL Handling | Did not validate SSL/TLS certificates during connection (Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-033) | MITM attack can intercept or modify archived emails and credentials | Update to version 12.2 or later which enforces certificate validation. |
| 8 | CVE-2024-29209 | KnowBe4 Phish Alert Outlook Add-in | Security – RCE via Unsafe Update Mechanism | Update mechanism did not enforce TLS/signature verification, allowing a malicious update (Docker Security Advisory) | Remote attacker can execute arbitrary code through a spoofed update | Fixed by enforcing strict TLS and update signing; update to latest version. |
| 9 | CVE-2023-38689 | Logistics Pipes Mod (Minecraft) | Security – RCE via Deserialization | Unsafe deserialization of network data without proper validation (Example Link) | Remote attacker can execute arbitrary code on multiplayer servers or clients | Refactored in version 0.10.0.71; update recommended. |
| 10 | CVE-2023-37262 | CC: Tweaked Mod (Minecraft) | Security – Info Disclosure (Cloud Metadata Leak) | In-game computers could access cloud metadata endpoints due to lack of outbound filtering (Rad Security Blog) | Allows extraction of sensitive cloud credentials from hosted servers | Updated mod to block metadata endpoints; update to version 1.106.1+ is required. |
| 11 | CVE-2023-37261 | OpenComputers Mod (Minecraft) | Security – Info Disclosure / Network Access | “Internet Card” allowed unrestricted outbound requests including cloud metadata and IPv6 addresses (Rad Security Blog) | Attackers can steal cloud credentials and access internal networks | Patched in v1.8.4 by blacklisting sensitive endpoints; update required. |
| 12 | CVE-2024-31446 | OpenComputers Mod (Minecraft, Native Lua) | Stability – DoS (Server Hang) | Unbounded Lua thread execution due to lack of yield checks, causing infinite loop on the server thread (Example Link) | An attacker can freeze the entire server, halting gameplay | Fixed in OpenComputers v1.8.4; update recommended. |
| 13 | CVE-2024-48645 | Command Block IDE Mod (Minecraft) | Security – Auth Bypass | No proper permission checks for editing command block scripts, allowing unauthorized modifications (Example Link) | Allows any player to modify critical command files, compromising server integrity | Fixed in version 0.5.0; update to the latest version and restrict access. |
| 14 | CVE-2024-41565 | Just Enough Items (JEI) Mod (Minecraft) | Functionality – Item Duplication | Improper validation of inventory slot indices resulted in duplicate items (Example Link) | Enables item duplication, breaking game balance and potentially causing lag or crashes | Patched in JEI version 19.5.0.34; update is required. |
| 15 | CVE-2024-42698 | Roughly Enough Items (REI) Mod (Minecraft) | Functionality – Item Duplication | Similar off-by-one error in slot validation led to item cloning (Example Link) | Duplicate items undermine fair gameplay and may lead to performance issues | Fixed in REI version 16.0.730; update advised. |
| 16 | CVE-2024-41564 | EMI (Exact Menu Items) Mod (Minecraft) | Functionality – Item Duplication | Failure to validate inventory operations caused duplicate items to be spawned (Example Link) | Leads to unfair gameplay and potential system lag if abused | Patched in EMI version 1.1.11; update required. |
| 17 | CVE-2024-22779 | ServerRPExposer Mod (Minecraft) | Security – Path Traversal to RCE | Did not sanitize zip file paths during resource pack extraction, allowing directory traversal (CVEfeed) | A malicious server can plant executable files on the client’s system, leading to RCE | Fixed in version 1.0.3; update advised and use only trusted servers. |
| 18 | CVE-2024-24042 | ARRP Mod (Minecraft Resource Pack Library) | Security – Path Traversal to RCE | Failed to validate paths when extracting resource packs, permitting files to be written outside the intended directory (CVEfeed) | May allow an attacker to write files in sensitive locations, potentially leading to RCE | Patched in the second 0.8.1 release; update is required. |
| 19 | CVE-2024-24043 | MCRPX Tool/Mod (Minecraft Resource Pack Extractor) | Security – Path Traversal on Zip Import | Did not validate relative paths in zip entries during extraction, allowing files to escape the intended folder (CVEfeed) | Enables malicious resource packs to drop files outside intended directories, risking code execution | Fixed in MCRPX v1.4.1; update recommended. |
| 20 | CVE-2024-29672 | Reden Mod (Minecraft) | Security – Path Traversal via Server Packet | Debug feature allowed extraction of zip data without validating paths, permitting directory traversal (CVEfeed) | A rogue server can drop files (e.g., jars) into the client’s mods folder, enabling RCE | Fixed in Reden v0.2.514; update required. |
| 21 | CVE-2024-39118 | Advanced Backups Mod (Minecraft) | Security – Path Traversal on Backup Restore | Backup restore function did not sanitize file paths inside zip archives, allowing files to be written outside the restore folder (CVEfeed) | A malicious backup could overwrite critical files or plant malware, affecting system integrity | Fixed in Advanced Backups v3.6.0; update and use trusted backups only. |
Note: The last several Minecraft mod cases (ServerRPExposer, ARRP, MCRPX, Reden, Advanced Backups) were all discovered as part of a coordinated disclosure in 2024 regarding Zip file path traversal in mods (Vulnerability research report for Minecraft mods. · GitHub). The technical root cause in each was the same: failure to check for .. or absolute paths when extracting archives, a well-known issue that can lead to files written outside the intended directory (Vulnerability research report for Minecraft mods. · GitHub). Mod developers quickly released patches once informed, underscoring the importance of secure coding even in game mods.
Patterns in Extension/Plugin Bugs
Analyzing the above cases reveals several common patterns:
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Insufficient Input Validation: A majority of these bugs stem from not validating input data that the extension/plugin receives. For example, many Minecraft mods did not validate filenames inside zip archives, leading to path traversal exploits (Vulnerability research report for Minecraft mods. · GitHub). Similarly, the WebEx extension didn’t properly sanitize incoming messages (Critical RCE Vulnerability Found in Cisco WebEx Extensions, Again — Patch Now!), and LastPass/Grammarly failed to validate or restrict what web pages could do with their extension APIs (Grammarly Patches Chrome Extension Bug That Exposed Users’ Docs | Threatpost) (NVD - CVE-2019-16371). In short, untrusted data (whether from a document, network packet, or web page) was often trusted by the extension – resulting in XXE, XSS, RCE, or logic bugs.
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Over-privileged or Misused APIs: Extensions frequently run with elevated privileges or deep integration, and a bug can abuse that. The Evernote and Grammarly cases show how a logic flaw can break the browser’s normal security model – e.g., Evernote’s bug broke Chrome’s domain isolation, allowing one site to access data from others (Evernote Chrome Extension Vulnerability: Guardio's Analysis). In essence, the extension’s broad permissions (meant to help the user clip web content or check grammar everywhere) became a liability when the extension misbehaved. Likewise, Outlook add-ins like MailStore’s and KnowBe4’s had the ability to connect to servers or update software; without proper checks (certificate validation, update signature verification), those abilities turned into vulnerabilities (CVE - Search Results) (CVE -Search Results).
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Design/Logic Flaws due to Complexity: Some bugs were not low-level memory errors, but high-level logic issues – e.g., LastPass’s credential leak was due to UI logic and clickjacking, not a buffer overflow. These arise from the complex interactions extensions have (UI events, multiple contexts, etc.). Tavis Ormandy noted that such issues often evade automated detection and require careful human review (Grammarly Patches Chrome Extension Bug That Exposed Users’ Docs | Threatpost). In game mods, logic flaws like item duplication (JEI/REI) were likely overlooked in testing since they don’t crash the game – they break game rules.
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Lack of Security Focus in Third-Party Development: Many of these extensions/plugins are by third parties (e.g., SAP add-in, mods by community developers, even large companies like Cisco or LastPass). In several cases, the core application might be secure, but the extension opened a hole. For instance, Microsoft Office itself wasn’t vulnerable, but the SAP add-in introduced an XXE flaw (CVE-2021-21470 : SAP EPM Add-in for Microsoft Office, version - 1010 and SAP EPM Add-in for SAP A). The patterns suggest that extension developers might not have the same security rigorous processes as the platform vendor. Community mod developers, in particular, historically focused on functionality over security, leading to decades-old bugs like directory traversal persisting (Vulnerability research report for Minecraft mods. · GitHub).
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Updates and Sandbox Mechanisms: Some patterns involve how extensions update or isolate code. KnowBe4’s PAB add-in didn’t verify update integrity (CVE - Search Results ), a pattern also seen in other software supply chain attacks (not unique to extensions, but very relevant as extensions often auto-update). On the flip side, failures to sandbox execution appear in mods like OpenComputers (Lua thread running on the main server thread) and in WebEx (exposing native code execution to webpages). Extensions that execute code (scripts, macros, etc.) need strong sandboxing; when that fails, the host is at risk.
Impact on Stability, Maintainability, and Security
Bugs in extensions/plugins can have outsized impacts on the host system’s stability, maintainability, and security:
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Stability: A flawed plugin can severely affect the stability of the host application or system. We saw how a single mod (OpenComputers) could hang an entire game server (CVE - Search Results ). Office add-ins have been known to crash Outlook or Excel if they mis-handle memory or events (e.g., the SAP add-in could have caused errors if malicious XML triggered odd behavior). Because extensions run in-process with their host, a crash in an extension crashes the host app. For example, a buggy Outlook add-in can make Outlook unrecoverable until disabled (Outlook Slow/Crashes - Slow and Disabled Add-ins). In gaming, mods that leak memory or CPU (infinite loops, excessive item spawn) can make a game unplayable. Thus, a seemingly optional add-on can undermine the reliability of the entire platform.
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Maintainability: Extensions add complexity to a system, which can hurt maintainability. Each bug requires coordination between the plugin developer and the host environment. If an extension is popular (like WebEx or LastPass), multiple updates might be rushed (as in 2017, WebEx needed a second patch) which can be challenging to manage for IT admins and users. In mods, once a vulnerability is found, maintainers have to quickly release fixes and users need to update mods across potentially thousands of servers or clients – not an easy task. Additionally, plugin ecosystems often have dependencies (e.g., ARRP library mod affecting other mods (Vulnerability research report for Minecraft mods. · GitHub)), so one fix might require many projects to update, complicating maintenance. Poorly designed extensions (no auto-update or code signing, etc.) increase the maintenance burden on users to manually track and install safe versions.
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Security: Perhaps the most significant impact is on overall system security. Extensions and mods expand the attack surface of the host application. A secure core application can be undermined by an insecure plugin. For instance, Chrome’s robust isolation was bypassed by the Evernote and Grammarly extensions’ bugs (Evernote Chrome Extension Vulnerability: Guardio's Analysis) (Grammarly Patches Chrome Extension Bug That Exposed Users’ Docs | Threatpost). A password manager like LastPass, meant to improve security, briefly exposed passwords due to its extension flaw (NVD - CVE-2019-16371). Many extensions run with elevated privileges (browser extensions can often read/modify all websites data, Office add-ins can access documents, game mods can run code in the game engine). As a result, any vulnerability can lead to a full compromise: WebEx’s extension allowed complete remote code execution on Windows (CVE-2017-3823 : An issue was discovered in the Cisco WebEx Extension before 1.0.7 on Google Chro). In enterprise settings, something like the KnowBe4 add-in bug could let an attacker pivot into a corporate network via a simple Outlook plugin exploit. In summary, extensions often operate at a high trust level; when they go wrong, they can violate user trust, breach data confidentiality, or open the door to malware.
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Security Maintenance Debt: From a process perspective, extension bugs highlight the importance of keeping plugins updated. Users often install extensions and forget about them. As Guardio noted, browser extensions can be risky and need to be maintained and updated just like any software (Evernote Chrome Extension Vulnerability: Guardio's Analysis). Unpatched extensions become lingering vulnerabilities (for example, someone still using an old WebEx plugin in 2018 would be an easy target). This creates a maintainability challenge: both users and platform providers must vigilantly manage extensions (browsers now can remotely disable known-bad extensions, Office might disable crashing add-ins (Add-ins decreased performance or caused Outlook to crash)). The need for frequent updates to fix bugs can itself be a source of security risk if the update mechanism is not secure (as seen with the PAB case).
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Impact Beyond the App (Systemic effects): Some plugin flaws have consequences beyond just the immediate app. The cloud metadata mod exploits show how a vulnerability in a game mod can escalate to cloud infrastructure compromise (CVE - Search Results ). Similarly, an Office add-in with a vulnerability could be a stepping stone for a targeted attack (e.g., a malicious document that exploits an add-in to run code). Thus, the security impact can range from local (game cheating, app crash) to systemic (network breach, malware installation).
In conclusion, extension/plugin bugs frequently follow patterns of unchecked inputs, improper privilege use, and inadequate isolation. These bugs can severely impact stability (crashes, hangs), erode maintainability (requiring urgent patches and careful version control), and punch holes in security defenses (leading to data leaks or code execution). The collection of cases from 2018–2024 demonstrates that while extensions enhance functionality, they must be developed and reviewed with the same rigor as core software – otherwise, they become the weakest link in the chain. As one security research team put it, browser extensions can be very powerful and thus very risky if not properly maintained (Evernote Chrome Extension Vulnerability: Guardio's Analysis). The same holds true for any platform: the host is only as secure and stable as the plugins it loads.