CVE-2006-4627 in System Information ActiveX control
Summary
by MITRE
System Information ActiveX control (msinfo.dll), when accessed via Microsoft Internet Explorer, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a SaveFile function with a long (1) computer and possibly (2) filename and (3) category argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4627 resides within the System Information ActiveX control distributed as part of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This control, identified by the msinfo.dll file, provides system information gathering capabilities through an interface that can be accessed via web browsers. The specific flaw manifests when Internet Explorer attempts to interact with this ActiveX component through the SaveFile function, creating a condition where malformed input parameters can trigger system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the SaveFile method of the msinfo.dll ActiveX control. When attackers supply excessively long string arguments for the computer name, filename, or category parameters, the control fails to properly handle these oversized inputs, leading to buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption within the application's execution context. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the ActiveX control's handling of string parameters without proper length validation or sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against targeted systems. When exploited, the vulnerability causes Internet Explorer to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the browser unusable for the affected user. This type of attack can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where users rely heavily on web-based applications and system information tools. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how ActiveX controls can serve as attack vectors when not properly secured against malformed input, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1218.011 for abuse of system tools and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of protection that align with defensive security practices. Microsoft addressed this issue through security updates that included proper input validation for the SaveFile function parameters, ensuring that string inputs are properly bounded before processing. Organizations should implement ActiveX control restrictions within Internet Explorer, disabling unnecessary ActiveX components that pose security risks. The recommended approach includes deploying group policies that prevent automatic execution of ActiveX controls from untrusted sources, combined with regular security patch management procedures. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing browser security restrictions such as zone-based security settings that limit ActiveX control interactions with potentially malicious web content. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly for components that interface with user-provided data through web-based applications.