CVE-2007-3302 in eTrust Intrusion Detection
Summary
by MITRE
The CallCode ActiveX control in caller.dll 3.0 before 20070713, and 3.0 SP1 before 3.0.5.81, in CA (formerly Computer Associates) eTrust Intrusion Detection allows remote attackers to load arbitrary DLLs on a client system, and execute code from these DLLs, via unspecified "scriptable functions."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3302 represents a critical security flaw in the CallCode ActiveX control component of CA eTrust Intrusion Detection software. This issue affects specific versions of the caller.dll library, particularly those prior to the mentioned patch releases, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries could exploit to compromise client systems. The vulnerability exists within the ActiveX control's handling of scriptable functions, which are typically used to enable web-based interactions with the control from Internet Explorer or other browsers that support ActiveX technology. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the control's behavior in ways that were not intended by the software developers, creating opportunities for malicious code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and unsafe dynamic loading mechanisms within the ActiveX control implementation. When the control processes scriptable functions, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the parameters passed to it, particularly those related to DLL loading operations. This weakness enables attackers to supply malicious DLL paths or names that the control will then attempt to load and execute on the victim's system. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the control handles dynamic library loading, which is a common pattern in ActiveX controls for extending functionality through external modules. This flaw aligns with CWE-427, which addresses Uncontrolled Search Path Element, and CWE-74, which covers String Injection, both of which describe scenarios where external input can influence code execution paths. The issue manifests when the control's scriptable functions receive unvalidated input that leads to arbitrary code execution through DLL loading operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to arbitrary code execution on client systems without requiring elevated privileges. Once successfully exploited, attackers can install malware, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors through the loaded DLLs. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be initiated remotely through web browsers, making it accessible to attackers who may not have direct access to the target network. The vulnerability affects systems running vulnerable versions of CA eTrust Intrusion Detection software, which are commonly deployed in enterprise environments for network security monitoring and threat detection. This creates a significant risk for organizations that have not updated their systems, as the control could be exploited to bypass security measures that the software was designed to provide. The potential for privilege escalation exists when the vulnerable control runs with elevated permissions, and the attack can be automated through web-based exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to update to the corrected versions of CA eTrust Intrusion Detection software that address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation involves applying the vendor-supplied patches that fix the ActiveX control's DLL loading mechanisms and improve input validation for scriptable functions. System administrators should also consider implementing browser security restrictions that disable ActiveX controls or limit their functionality through security policies. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help reduce the attack surface by restricting access to systems running vulnerable software. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of the vulnerable ActiveX control across their network infrastructure. The remediation process should include disabling the vulnerable ActiveX control through group policy settings or registry modifications when immediate patching is not feasible. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and the need for regular security updates, particularly for software components that interface with web browsers through ActiveX technologies. The issue also highlights the necessity of implementing principle of least privilege for software components that handle dynamic code loading operations, as recommended by various cybersecurity frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and MITRE ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and execution through malicious code injection.