CVE-2005-3693 in AxWebRemoveCtrl
Summary
by MITRE
The AxWebRemoveCtrl ActiveX control for uninstalling the SunnComm MediaMax DRM allows remote attackers to download and execute arbitrary code, a similar vulnerability to CVE-2005-3650.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The AxWebRemoveCtrl ActiveX control represents a critical security vulnerability within the SunnComm MediaMax Digital Rights Management system that was discovered in 2005. This particular ActiveX control was designed for uninstalling MediaMax DRM components but contained a fundamental flaw that allowed remote attackers to leverage it as an attack vector for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running Windows operating systems where ActiveX controls are enabled, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass traditional security measures and gain unauthorized access to affected systems. The control's functionality for uninstalling software components was exploited by attackers who could manipulate its parameters to download and execute malicious payloads directly on target machines, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability due to the privileged nature of uninstall operations.
The technical flaw within AxWebRemoveCtrl stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling within the control's implementation. When the control processes user-supplied parameters during the uninstallation process, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input data, creating a classic buffer overflow condition or command injection vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-78, which covers OS command injection flaws. The control's design allows for remote code execution through malformed parameters that are passed directly to system commands or file operations, without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers could craft malicious URLs or web pages that would trigger the vulnerable control, causing it to download and execute arbitrary code from attacker-controlled servers. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers Exploit Public-Facing Application, specifically targeting ActiveX controls as attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it represents a complete compromise of system integrity and security posture. When successfully exploited, attackers could gain full control over affected systems, allowing them to install additional malware, steal sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are commonly enabled for business applications. Organizations running systems with MediaMax DRM installations were at risk of being compromised without any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted email attachment. The similarity to CVE-2005-3650 demonstrates a pattern of vulnerabilities within the SunnComm MediaMax DRM suite, indicating that multiple components within the system suffered from insufficient input validation and privilege escalation issues. This vulnerability effectively undermines the security model of the DRM system, as it allows attackers to bypass the very protections the system was designed to enforce.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach that addresses both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately disable ActiveX controls in web browsers where they are not strictly necessary, as this provides a strong defense against exploitation attempts. The most effective immediate solution involves removing or disabling the vulnerable AxWebRemoveCtrl control from affected systems, which requires administrators to manually uninstall the MediaMax DRM components or apply vendor patches if available. System administrators should also implement network-level controls such as firewall rules that block access to known malicious domains and implement web application firewalls to filter out suspicious requests targeting ActiveX controls. Additionally, security awareness training for end users should emphasize the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and opening suspicious email attachments, as these remain the most common attack vectors for such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software development practices, including input validation, privilege separation, and secure coding standards, which should be enforced throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent similar issues in future applications. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that only allow execution of known good software, thereby preventing the execution of malicious code downloaded through vulnerable ActiveX controls.