CVE-2006-6659 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
The Microsoft Office Outlook Recipient ActiveX control (ole32.dll) in Windows XP SP2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (Internet Explorer 7 hang) via crafted HTML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6659 represents a significant security flaw within Microsoft Office Outlook's Recipient ActiveX control component, specifically affecting Windows XP Service Pack 2 systems. This issue manifests through the ole32.dll library which handles ActiveX control operations, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate Internet Explorer 7 functionality. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the way the ActiveX control processes specially crafted HTML content, leading to system instability and service disruption.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves improper input validation within the Outlook Recipient ActiveX control implementation. When Internet Explorer 7 encounters maliciously constructed HTML elements that interact with the ole32.dll component, the control fails to properly handle the malformed data structures. This processing failure results in the browser becoming unresponsive or hanging indefinitely, effectively creating a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing web content through the affected browser.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to enterprise environments where Windows XP SP2 systems remain operational, particularly in organizations that have not yet migrated to newer security protocols. The attack vector requires remote delivery of malicious HTML content through web browsers, making it accessible to attackers who can leverage compromised websites, phishing emails, or malicious advertisements to exploit vulnerable systems. The impact extends beyond simple browser interruption as it can disrupt business operations, particularly in environments where email communication is critical.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with improper input validation attacks that fall under the ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer, applying Microsoft security patches, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTML content delivery patterns. Additional protective measures include user education regarding unsafe web browsing practices and maintaining updated antivirus signatures that can detect and block malicious HTML payloads designed to exploit this specific vulnerability.