CVE-2007-2923 in exteNd Director
Summary
by MITRE
The launch method in the LocalExec ActiveX control (LocalExec.ocx) in Novell exteNd Director 4.1 and Portal Services allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2923 represents a critical command execution flaw within Novell exteNd Director 4.1 and Portal Services through the LocalExec ActiveX control. This vulnerability exists in the launch method of LocalExec.ocx which fails to properly validate input parameters before executing system commands. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on systems running the vulnerable software, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries and potentially allowing full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ActiveX control's launch method. When the control processes user-supplied parameters, it does not adequately sanitize or validate the input before passing it to underlying system execution functions. This classic input validation vulnerability creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially formatted input that gets interpreted as executable commands rather than benign data. The vulnerability manifests when the ActiveX control is loaded within a web browser context, making it accessible to remote attackers through web-based attack vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations deploying Novell exteNd Director 4.1 and Portal Services. The ability to execute arbitrary commands remotely means attackers can gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system corruption, or use as a foothold for further network penetration. The vulnerability affects systems where the ActiveX control is registered and accessible, typically web servers or application servers hosting the vulnerable components, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such controls might be deployed without proper security hardening.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 and CWE-78 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing command injection flaws where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system command execution without proper sanitization. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting remote command execution capabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the vulnerable ActiveX control, applying vendor patches if available, restricting access to the affected components, and monitoring network traffic for exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and application whitelisting should be implemented to reduce the attack surface and limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of executing user-supplied data within system contexts, particularly in ActiveX controls that operate with elevated privileges.