CVE-2007-1955 in Skcommax ActiveX Control
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the SignKorea SKCrypAX ActiveX control module 5.4.1.2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in unspecified arguments to the (1) DownloadCert, (2) DecryptFileByKey, and (3) EncryptFileByKey functions, a different module and vectors than CVE-2007-1722. 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-2007-1955 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue within the SignKorea SKCrypAX ActiveX control version 5.4.1.2. This flaw exists in the cryptographic module that handles digital certificate operations and file encryption/decryption functions. The vulnerability specifically affects three distinct functions within the ActiveX control: DownloadCert, DecryptFileByKey, and EncryptFileByKey, each of which accepts unspecified arguments that can trigger the buffer overflow condition. The attack vector operates remotely, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems without requiring local access or authentication. This represents a significant security risk given the widespread deployment of ActiveX controls in enterprise environments and the potential for privilege escalation through code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the three affected functions of the SKCrypAX module. When processing user-supplied arguments, the control fails to properly bounds-check the length of input strings before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. This fundamental flaw allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting return addresses and control flow information. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the attack can directly manipulate the program's execution path by overwriting the return address on the stack, enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability manifests when a maliciously crafted string exceeding the buffer capacity is passed to any of the three vulnerable functions, with the exact argument specifications remaining undisclosed in the original report.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, creating potential pathways for advanced persistent threats and lateral movement within compromised networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to systems running vulnerable versions of the SignKorea SKCrypAX control. The remote exploit capability means that adversaries can target systems without physical access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are commonly deployed for digital signature and encryption services. Organizations using this cryptographic module for secure communications, document signing, or data encryption face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability could be exploited through web browsers or other applications that load the ActiveX control. The potential for widespread exploitation increases due to the module's legitimate use in business applications and government systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1955 should prioritize immediate removal or disabling of the vulnerable SignKorea SKCrypAX ActiveX control from all affected systems. Organizations must implement strict browser security policies that prevent automatic loading of ActiveX controls and disable ActiveX support where possible. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface by limiting which systems can load the vulnerable control. Regular security assessments should verify the absence of vulnerable ActiveX controls in the enterprise environment, with particular attention to legacy systems that may still rely on deprecated cryptographic modules. Security patches from the vendor should be applied immediately upon availability, though in this case the vulnerability predates modern patch management practices. System monitoring should include detection of suspicious ActiveX loading activities and unusual network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a technique commonly mapped to attack patterns in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under execution and privilege escalation categories, particularly focusing on malicious code injection and remote command execution vectors.