CVE-2007-2885 in Visual Database Tools Database Designer
Summary
by MITRE
The NotSafe function in the MSVDTDatabaseDesigner7 ActiveX control in VDT70.DLL in Microsoft Visual Database Tools (MSVDT) Database Designer 7.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (Internet Explorer 6 crash) via a long argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2885 resides within the MSVDTDatabaseDesigner7 ActiveX control component of Microsoft Visual Database Tools Database Designer version 7.0. This particular flaw manifests in the NotSafe function which processes input arguments through the VDT70.DLL library. The issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the ActiveX control receives an argument exceeding its expected length parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects Internet Explorer 6 users who encounter the control, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where older browser versions remain in use.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a well-documented pattern of unsafe string handling within ActiveX controls. When the NotSafe function receives a lengthy argument, it fails to properly validate or limit the input length before processing, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption directly results in the termination of Internet Explorer 6 processes, causing the browser to crash and effectively denying service to the end user. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the ActiveX control's memory management, making it particularly difficult to detect through standard application-level security measures.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security concerns for organizations running Microsoft Visual Database Tools 7.0 installations. The denial of service condition can be easily exploited by remote attackers who simply need to craft a malicious webpage containing the vulnerable ActiveX control with an oversized argument. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive for attackers seeking to disrupt business operations or as part of larger attack campaigns. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be used to create persistent denial of service conditions that require system restarts to resolve. Organizations may experience reduced productivity, increased helpdesk tickets, and potential business continuity issues due to the unpredictable nature of the crashes.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes the classic stack-based buffer overflow condition, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through web-based attacks. Microsoft's response to this vulnerability included the release of security patches and updates to the Visual Database Tools software, emphasizing the importance of keeping ActiveX components updated. Organizations should implement browser security policies that restrict ActiveX control loading, particularly in environments where legacy software remains operational. The incident highlighted the critical need for proper input validation in ActiveX controls and demonstrated how seemingly minor flaws in component libraries can create significant security risks. Remediation efforts should focus on immediate patch deployment, browser security hardening, and consideration of alternative database design tools that do not rely on potentially vulnerable ActiveX components.