CVE-2007-3169 in Office Viewer Component
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in a certain ActiveX control in the EDraw Office Viewer Component (edrawofficeviewer.ocx) 4.0.5.20, and other versions before 5.0, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (Internet Explorer 7 crash) or execute arbitrary code via a long first argument to the HttpDownloadFile method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3169 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the EDraw Office Viewer Component ActiveX control version 4.0.5.20 and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically affects Internet Explorer 7 environments where the vulnerable ActiveX control is installed and executed. The flaw exists in the HttpDownloadFile method of the edrawofficeviewer.ocx control, which fails to properly validate the length of the first argument passed to this method. When an attacker provides an excessively long string as the first parameter, the control's buffer handling mechanism becomes overwhelmed, leading to memory corruption that can result in either application crash or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient bounds checking within the ActiveX control's implementation, creating a classic buffer overflow condition that has been classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. When Internet Explorer 7 encounters the malicious input through the HttpDownloadFile method, the buffer overflow can cause the browser process to crash abruptly, resulting in a denial of service condition that disrupts user productivity and system availability. However, the more severe implications arise when attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running Internet Explorer. This represents a significant security risk as it could allow attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through web-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3169 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor. Organizations must ensure that all instances of the EDraw Office Viewer Component are upgraded to version 5.0 or later where the buffer overflow vulnerability has been addressed. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls and disable unnecessary ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer configurations. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and proxy servers can help filter malicious content before it reaches vulnerable systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes exploitation of known vulnerabilities through web-based attacks, and represents a common vector for privilege escalation attacks that typically follow the initial compromise phase of cyber operations. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for Internet Explorer and regularly auditing ActiveX control installations to prevent unauthorized deployments of vulnerable components. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of visiting untrusted websites and downloading unknown files remains crucial in reducing the attack surface for such vulnerabilities.