CVE-2007-4821 in Office Viewer Component
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in a certain ActiveX control in officeviewer.ocx 5.2.218.1 in EDraw Office Viewer Component 5.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long first argument to the HttpDownloadFileToTempDir method, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-3169.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4821 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the EDraw Office Viewer Component ActiveX control. This specific vulnerability exists in the officeviewer.ocx ActiveX control version 5.2.218.1 and is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs when processing user-supplied input through the HttpDownloadFileToTempDir method. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, making it a severe security risk that can be exploited over a network without requiring local access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the ActiveX control's HttpDownloadFileToTempDir method. When the method receives a first argument that exceeds the allocated buffer size, it results in memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the heap-based nature of this particular flaw makes it more complex to exploit. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2007-3169, indicating that this represents a separate code path with different triggering conditions but similar exploitation potential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to potentially gain full control over affected systems. Since the vulnerability operates through ActiveX controls, it can be triggered when users visit malicious websites or open compromised office documents that contain embedded ActiveX references. This makes the attack surface particularly wide, as users may encounter these malicious controls during routine browsing or document processing activities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where users frequently interact with untrusted content.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow adversaries to execute malicious commands. The vulnerability also aligns with T1203, which covers legitimate user execution, since it can be triggered through normal user activities like opening documents or visiting web pages. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the EDraw Office Viewer Component to the latest version that addresses this specific buffer overflow issue, as well as implementing security measures such as ActiveX control restrictions in browser settings and network-level protections that can prevent access to known malicious domains. Organizations should also consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX controls and regularly monitor for exploitation attempts through network intrusion detection systems.