CVE-2007-3785 in SecureBlackbox
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in a certain ActiveX control in PGPBBox.dll in EldoS SecureBlackbox (sbb) 5.1.0.112 allows remote attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument to the SaveToFile method. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2018
The CVE-2007-3785 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the EldoS SecureBlackbox ActiveX control component. This vulnerability specifically affects version 5.1.0.112 of the PGPBBox.dll library, which is part of the broader SecureBlackbox suite designed for secure data handling and encryption. The flaw manifests in the SaveToFile method of the ActiveX control, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate file system operations through crafted pathname arguments. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to execute arbitrary file creation or overwrite operations on the target system, potentially leading to persistent compromise or data corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the ActiveX control's SaveToFile method. When an attacker provides a full pathname as an argument to this method, the control fails to properly validate or sanitize the path before executing the file operation. This allows the attacker to specify absolute paths that point outside the intended directory structure, effectively bypassing normal file system access controls. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal issue that aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to traverse the file system hierarchy and create or modify files in locations where they should not have access, making it a significant security risk for any system that relies on this ActiveX control for file operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to systems that utilize the affected SecureBlackbox component, particularly those running in web environments or applications that process untrusted input through ActiveX controls. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code into the application's execution path, or establish persistent backdoors on the compromised system. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need local access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in web-facing applications or browser environments where ActiveX controls are enabled. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving file system manipulation and privilege escalation, as it allows adversaries to manipulate the file system in ways that could lead to further compromise of the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3785 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from EldoS, as the vendor would have released patches addressing the input validation flaws in the PGPBBox.dll component. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to prevent unnecessary exposure of ActiveX controls, particularly in web environments where such controls are typically disabled by default. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation at application layers, employing sandboxing techniques for ActiveX control execution, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected components within the application stack. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while monitoring for suspicious file system activities that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when developing components that interact with the file system, as it demonstrates how a single flaw in path handling can result in arbitrary file system manipulation.