CVE-2002-2352 in Neobook
Summary
by MITRE
The NBActiveX.ocx ActiveX control in NeoBook 4 allows remote attackers to install and execute arbitrary programs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2352 represents a critical security flaw in the NBActiveX.ocx ActiveX control component of NeoBook 4 software. This issue stems from the control's improper handling of user input and lack of adequate validation mechanisms within its implementation. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where the ActiveX control fails to properly sanitize data inputs, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-170, which describes improper input handling in software components, specifically in ActiveX controls where insufficient validation leads to arbitrary code execution. The flaw allows remote attackers to leverage the ActiveX control's functionality to install and execute malicious programs on vulnerable systems. This occurs because the control does not properly validate or sanitize the parameters passed to it, enabling attackers to craft malicious inputs that trigger unintended behavior within the application's runtime environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise environments where NeoBook 4 may be deployed. Attackers can exploit this weakness to install backdoors, malware, or other malicious software without requiring local system access or elevated privileges. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise systems from anywhere on the network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in corporate environments where ActiveX controls are often enabled by default. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily through web browsers that support ActiveX controls, particularly Internet Explorer which was the dominant browser at the time of this vulnerability's discovery. Attackers typically craft malicious web pages that contain the vulnerable ActiveX control and embed malicious payloads within the control's parameters. When users visit these compromised web pages, the ActiveX control executes with the privileges of the user browsing the page, potentially allowing for complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.001 which describes the use of ActiveX controls for initial access and execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2352 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by NeoBook developers. Organizations should disable ActiveX controls in web browsers or implement strict security policies that require explicit user consent before executing any ActiveX components. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that only allow trusted ActiveX controls to execute can provide an additional layer of defense. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy software components that may still be present in enterprise environments.