CVE-2005-2858 in Rediff
Summary
by MITRE
The Fetch.FetchContact.1 ActiveX control (Fetch.dll) for Rediff Bol 7.0 allows remote attackers to read the Windows Address Book via the FullAddressBook method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2858 represents a critical security flaw in the Fetch.FetchContact.1 ActiveX control distributed with Rediff Bol 7.0 email client software. This ActiveX control exposes a method named FullAddressBook that creates an exploitable vector for remote attackers to access sensitive information stored in the Windows Address Book. The vulnerability exists within the client-side software component architecture and demonstrates a classic example of improper access control in ActiveX controls that are not properly sandboxed or restricted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the design flaw in how the Fetch.dll ActiveX control handles user input and access permissions. When the FullAddressBook method is invoked, it bypasses normal Windows security mechanisms and allows unauthorized remote code execution or information disclosure. This particular flaw falls under CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically in the context of ActiveX controls that should have been properly restricted but instead provided unrestricted access to address book data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to enumerate user contact information, potentially including email addresses, phone numbers, and other personal identifiers that could be used for social engineering attacks or targeted phishing campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a pathway for more sophisticated attacks within the victim's system. Attackers can leverage this control to gather intelligence about users' contact networks, which can then be used to craft convincing spear-phishing emails or to identify additional targets for further exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are often enabled by default, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited without user interaction. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059, this vulnerability enables initial access through malicious code execution, while T1087 covers the credential access and enumeration that can result from harvesting address book information. The attack surface is further expanded because ActiveX controls are frequently used in web-based email clients and office applications, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable across multiple platforms and deployment scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2858 should focus on immediate removal of the vulnerable ActiveX control from affected systems, as well as implementing proper security policies that restrict ActiveX control execution. Organizations should disable ActiveX controls in web browsers unless absolutely necessary, and deploy application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software supply chain security and the need for regular security assessments of third-party components. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious ActiveX control usage patterns and ensure that all software components are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, user education about the risks of enabling ActiveX controls and the importance of verifying software sources can help reduce the attack surface. The remediation process should include comprehensive system scans to identify all instances of the vulnerable Fetch.dll component and ensure complete removal from all affected systems, as well as verification that no residual components remain that could potentially be exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities.