CVE-2005-0360 in Log Sink Class ActiveX control
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft Log Sink Class ActiveX control in pkmcore.dll is marked as "safe for scripting" for Internet Explorer, which allows remote attackers to create or append to arbitrary files.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0360 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser that stems from improper ActiveX control security declarations. This issue specifically affects the Microsoft Log Sink Class ActiveX control located in the pkmcore.dll file, which is part of Microsoft's Windows system components. The control's classification as "safe for scripting" creates a dangerous security boundary that allows malicious actors to exploit the browser's security model and gain unauthorized file system access. This designation, typically intended to permit legitimate script execution while maintaining security boundaries, becomes a vector for exploitation when the control's functionality extends beyond its intended scope.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper security context assignment within Internet Explorer's ActiveX security model. When the Log Sink Class ActiveX control is loaded in a browser context, its "safe for scripting" classification allows it to execute code with elevated privileges that should normally be restricted. Attackers can leverage this misconfiguration to manipulate the file system by creating or appending to arbitrary files on the target system. The vulnerability specifically exploits the control's ability to bypass normal file access restrictions that would typically prevent a browser-based script from writing to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This flaw operates at the intersection of browser security boundaries and Windows system component permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0360 extends beyond simple file system manipulation to encompass broader system compromise capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to plant malicious files, modify existing system files, or create persistent backdoors on affected systems. The ability to append to arbitrary files provides attackers with multiple exploitation pathways, including the potential to inject malicious code into system log files, configuration files, or other critical system resources. This vulnerability particularly affects Windows systems running Internet Explorer and is especially dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges or where automated system management processes rely on file system integrity. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack technique matrix under techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0360 require a multi-layered approach that addresses both immediate security concerns and long-term system hardening. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to deploy Microsoft security updates that correct the ActiveX control security declarations and remove the dangerous "safe for scripting" designation from the affected control. Browser security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that ActiveX controls are properly restricted and that users cannot inadvertently execute potentially malicious controls. Network-level controls such as application whitelisting and browser security policies can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security context assignment in ActiveX controls and aligns with common weakness enumerations in the CWE database under categories related to improper control of a resource through the control flow. Security professionals should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized file system modifications and anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability highlights the broader security implications of improper security model implementation in browser components and underscores the need for comprehensive security reviews of system components. The issue represents a classic example of how security boundaries can be improperly configured to create dangerous attack vectors. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their browser environments and ActiveX control configurations to identify similar misconfigurations. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors. Proper security architecture and configuration management practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software deployments.