CVE-2007-2240 in Access Support
Summary
by MITRE
The IBM Lenovo Access Support acpRunner ActiveX control, as distributed in acpcontroller.dll before 1.2.8.0 and possibly acpir.dll before 1.0.0.9 (Automated Solutions 1.0 before fix pack 1), does not properly validate digital signatures of downloaded software, which makes it easier for remote attackers to spoof a download.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2240 affects the IBM Lenovo Access Support acpRunner ActiveX control, specifically targeting the software validation mechanisms within acpcontroller.dll and potentially acpir.dll components. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the digital signature validation process that is fundamental to software integrity verification. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of digital signatures during software download operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the authentication process. The affected versions of the software fail to implement proper cryptographic verification procedures that should ensure downloaded components originate from legitimate sources. This issue impacts systems running the affected Lenovo Access Support software, particularly those utilizing ActiveX controls for system management and automation tasks. The vulnerability exists in the pre-1.2.8.0 version of acpcontroller.dll and pre-1.0.0.9 version of acpir.dll, indicating a specific timeframe of exposure that affects the Automated Solutions 1.0 product line before the first fix pack was applied.
The technical flaw manifests in the ActiveX control's inability to properly verify the authenticity of downloaded software components through digital signature validation. When the acpRunner ActiveX control attempts to validate software downloads, it fails to perform comprehensive cryptographic checks that would normally confirm the software's origin and integrity. This weakness allows attackers to create forged digital signatures that appear legitimate to the vulnerable control, enabling them to substitute malicious code for legitimate updates or installations. The vulnerability operates at the core of the software's trust model, where the system relies on digital signatures to establish the authenticity of downloaded content. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture that should normally prevent unauthorized modifications to system components. The flaw essentially creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where attackers can intercept legitimate software updates and replace them with malicious payloads while maintaining the appearance of valid downloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple software compromise to potentially enable broader system infiltration and persistent access. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can successfully spoof software downloads, which may lead to the installation of malware, rootkits, or other malicious components that can establish backdoors within the affected systems. The compromised ActiveX control provides attackers with elevated privileges and access to system resources that would normally be protected from unauthorized modification. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Lenovo Access Support software is deployed for remote system management and automated solutions. The impact is amplified when considering that ActiveX controls often operate with high system privileges, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. The vulnerability also undermines the security posture of organizations relying on automated software deployment mechanisms, as attackers can effectively bypass security controls designed to prevent unauthorized software installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2240 focus on immediate patch application and system hardening measures to prevent exploitation of the digital signature validation weakness. Organizations should prioritize updating to the fixed versions of acpcontroller.dll (1.2.8.0 and later) and acpir.dll (1.0.0.9 and later) to address the core validation flaw. System administrators should implement additional security controls such as disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, implementing strict software restriction policies, and monitoring for unauthorized software installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-311, which addresses the absence of encryption of sensitive data, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1195.001 for the use of malicious file downloads. Network segmentation and endpoint protection measures should be enhanced to detect and prevent the execution of potentially malicious software downloads. Regular security assessments should verify that all ActiveX components are properly updated and that digital signature validation mechanisms are functioning correctly. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the updated components maintain proper functionality while addressing the security vulnerability.