CVE-1999-0670 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Eyedog ActiveX control allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0670 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Eyedog ActiveX control, a component commonly used in Windows environments for multimedia applications. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of software defects that can lead to severe security implications when exploited by malicious actors. The Eyedog ActiveX control was designed to handle various media formats and provide interactive multimedia experiences within web browsers and desktop applications. However, the implementation contained a fundamental flaw that allowed attackers to manipulate memory allocation during the processing of user-supplied data. The buffer overflow occurred when the control failed to properly validate input parameters before copying them into fixed-length memory buffers, creating an opportunity for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This particular vulnerability demonstrates the dangers inherent in ActiveX controls, which are inherently trusted components that execute with the privileges of the user running the application. The flaw existed in the control's handling of string parameters, where insufficient bounds checking permitted attackers to craft specially formatted input that would exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses or other critical program data. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can allow attackers to install malware, modify system configurations, or escalate privileges within the affected environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious web content that would trigger the vulnerable ActiveX control when loaded in Internet Explorer or other browsers that support ActiveX components. The attack vector specifically involves crafting malicious input that would cause the buffer overflow when processed by the Eyedog control, potentially allowing execution of arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute commands on the compromised system. The timing of this vulnerability's discovery in 1999 coincided with a period when ActiveX controls were widely deployed and trusted, making the impact of such flaws particularly severe given the broad attack surface they provided. Organizations running affected systems were vulnerable to remote exploitation without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted document. The remediation approach for this vulnerability required immediate patching of the Eyedog ActiveX control or complete removal of the component from affected systems. Security practitioners needed to implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts and ensure that all instances of the vulnerable control were properly updated or decommissioned. This vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in software development, particularly for components that would be exposed to untrusted input from external sources. The incident underscored the risks associated with legacy ActiveX controls and the need for regular security assessments of deployed software components. System administrators had to carefully evaluate all ActiveX controls installed on their systems and ensure that only trusted, properly patched versions remained in use. The vulnerability also demonstrated the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of failing to apply security updates promptly to prevent exploitation by malicious actors.