CVE-2007-1190 in EmbeddedWB Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the EmbeddedWB Web Browser ActiveX control allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1190 affects the EmbeddedWB Web Browser ActiveX control, a component commonly used in Windows applications for embedding web browsing capabilities. This type of vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft's ActiveX architecture, which has historically been a prime target for attackers due to its widespread deployment across enterprise environments. The EmbeddedWB control, as part of the broader Microsoft Internet Explorer ecosystem, allows applications to leverage web browsing functionalities within their user interfaces, making it a valuable target for exploitation. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors in this case suggests that multiple attack surfaces within the ActiveX control could potentially be leveraged by malicious actors to achieve arbitrary code execution.
The technical flaw within the EmbeddedWB ActiveX control stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices that were prevalent in ActiveX controls during the early 2000s era. These controls typically lacked proper bounds checking and sanitization mechanisms when processing user-supplied data or web content, creating numerous potential entry points for exploitation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where the ActiveX control processes web content or user inputs, potentially allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that trigger buffer overflows, format string vulnerabilities, or other memory corruption issues. This class of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which encompasses buffer overflow conditions in stack-based memory management, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1190 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the security model of ActiveX-based applications. When successfully exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are commonly deployed. This vulnerability type is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of ActiveX controls for code execution, and T1203, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities in software components. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many enterprise applications rely on ActiveX controls for legacy functionality, creating widespread potential for exploitation across different organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1190 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural changes. Organizations should implement strict ActiveX control restrictions through Group Policy settings, disable unnecessary ActiveX controls, and deploy application whitelisting solutions to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the dangers of relying on deprecated technologies. Microsoft's recommended approach involves disabling the EmbeddedWB control or implementing additional security layers through Internet Explorer's security zones and ActiveX filtering mechanisms. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable ActiveX components within the enterprise environment. The vulnerability serves as a historical example of why modern security practices emphasize zero-trust architectures and the elimination of legacy technologies that pose inherent security risks.