CVE-2005-3113 in NateOn Messenger
Summary
by MITRE
The ActiveX control for NateOn Messenger (NateonDownloadManager.ocx) allows remote attackers to download and execute arbitrary programs by setting the arguments to the GotNate.Excute method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3113 represents a critical security flaw in the NateOn Messenger ActiveX control known as NateonDownloadManager.ocx. This particular ActiveX control was designed to facilitate file downloads and execution within Internet Explorer environments, but it contained a dangerous design flaw that allowed malicious actors to exploit its functionality for unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability specifically resides in the GotNate.Excute method which serves as an entry point for remote attackers to manipulate the control's behavior and execute arbitrary programs on vulnerable systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and parameter handling within the ActiveX control's method interfaces. When the GotNate.Excute method receives arguments, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters before executing any commands. This lack of proper input validation creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attackers can craft malicious argument values that get interpreted and executed as system commands. The vulnerability operates at the privilege level of the user running the browser, which typically means that successful exploitation could result in full system compromise if the user has administrative privileges. According to CWE-77 and CWE-94, this vulnerability manifests as a command injection flaw that allows arbitrary code execution, while the nature of ActiveX controls places it within the domain of code execution vulnerabilities that are particularly dangerous in web browser contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3113 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass a broad range of security implications. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, backdoors, or rootkits on affected systems without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted email attachment. The vulnerability affects systems running vulnerable versions of the NateOn Messenger client, which was popular in certain regions particularly in Asia, making it a significant concern for users in those markets. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction, as the malicious ActiveX control can be automatically loaded and executed when visiting compromised web pages, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers target publicly accessible applications to gain initial access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3113 primarily focus on disabling or removing the vulnerable ActiveX control from affected systems. System administrators should ensure that the NateonDownloadManager.ocx control is either completely removed from the system registry or properly restricted through group policies to prevent automatic execution. The most effective approach involves disabling ActiveX controls entirely or implementing strict security policies that require explicit user consent before loading any ActiveX components. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based protections such as firewall rules that block access to known malicious domains and employing web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and opening suspicious email attachments that might contain malicious ActiveX controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of legacy ActiveX controls that lack modern security features, making it a prime example of why organizations should migrate away from deprecated technologies and implement robust application security practices that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.