CVE-2001-0434 in Presario
Summary
by MITRE
The LogDataListToFile ActiveX function used in (1) Knowledge Center and (2) Back web components of Compaq Presario computers allows remote attackers to modify arbitrary files and cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0434 represents a critical security flaw in the ActiveX component architecture of Compaq Presario computers, specifically within the Knowledge Center and Back web components. This issue stems from improper input validation and file handling mechanisms within the LogDataListToFile ActiveX function, which operates as a server-side component designed to log data to file systems. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of web application security and ActiveX control security, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system's file manipulation capabilities without proper authentication or authorization.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure handling of user-supplied data within the ActiveX function, which fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before processing file operations. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that can manipulate the function's behavior to write to arbitrary file locations on the system, potentially overwriting critical system files or injecting malicious content into log files. The vulnerability specifically affects the file system permissions and access controls implemented within the Compaq Presario web components, where the ActiveX control operates with elevated privileges that should not be accessible to unauthenticated remote users. This design flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerability as classified by CWE-639.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file modification capabilities to include potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code into log files, or cause system instability through resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where these computers might be exposed to external networks. This represents a significant threat vector that could lead to persistent backdoor access, data corruption, or complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of system logging mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to cover their tracks or manipulate audit trails.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling or removing the vulnerable ActiveX controls from affected systems, particularly those exposed to untrusted network environments. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for all ActiveX components, ensuring that file operations are restricted to predefined, safe directories with appropriate access controls. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to web components that utilize vulnerable ActiveX controls, while also applying the principle of least privilege to ActiveX control permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper security testing of ActiveX components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other ActiveX controls or web components, while also implementing proper monitoring of file system changes and log file integrity checks to detect potential exploitation attempts.