CVE-2007-2929 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), exposes unsafe methods to arbitrary web domains, which allows remote attackers to download arbitrary code onto a client system and execute this code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2929 affects the IBM Lenovo Access Support acpRunner ActiveX control, specifically targeting the acpcontroller.dll and potentially acpir.dll components. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the automated solutions framework provided by IBM Lenovo, where the ActiveX control fails to properly enforce security boundaries between trusted and untrusted code execution environments. The vulnerability stems from the control's improper implementation of security mechanisms that should prevent arbitrary web domains from invoking dangerous methods within the control's interface. The affected versions of these components, particularly those prior to 1.2.8.0 for acpcontroller.dll and 1.0.0.9 for acpir.dll, demonstrate a fundamental lack of proper access control implementation that creates an exploitable attack surface.
The technical flaw manifests through the exposure of unsafe methods that are accessible to any web domain that can load the ActiveX control within a browser environment. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper privilege separation where the control does not adequately verify the calling domain or enforce security policies that would normally prevent untrusted code from executing potentially harmful operations. The vulnerability creates a scenario where remote attackers can leverage web-based attacks to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable client systems, effectively bypassing the normal security boundaries that should protect users from malicious web content. This behavior aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and CWE-74, concerning injection flaws, though the specific implementation issue here relates to the exposure of dangerous methods rather than direct injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent vector for delivering malware, backdoors, or other malicious payloads directly to client systems. The ability to download and execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious tools without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are often enabled by default, creating a significant risk for organizations that have not implemented proper security policies or updated their systems to the patched versions. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these controls are often pre-installed on business laptops and desktops, making the exploitation process more straightforward for threat actors targeting corporate networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided patches that update the acpcontroller.dll and acpir.dll components to versions that properly implement access control restrictions. Organizations should also consider implementing security policies that disable ActiveX controls in web browsers or configure them with restricted security zones. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1195.001, which covers the use of web shell techniques, and T1059.007, concerning the use of scripting languages for execution. Network administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious ActiveX loading patterns and consider using browser security extensions or enterprise security solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious ActiveX behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security boundary enforcement and demonstrates how legacy components can pose significant risks when not properly maintained or updated.