CVE-2007-4890 in Visual Studio
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute directory traversal vulnerability in a certain ActiveX control in the VB To VSI Support Library (VBTOVSI.DLL) 1.0.0.0 in Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 allows remote attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument to the SaveAs method. NOTE: contents can be copied from local files via the Load method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The CVE-2007-4890 vulnerability represents a critical absolute directory traversal flaw within the VB To VSI Support Library component of Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0. This vulnerability exists in the VBTOVSI.DLL ActiveX control version 1.0.0.0 and fundamentally compromises the security boundaries of applications that utilize this library. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the SaveAs method receives a full pathname argument, enabling malicious actors to manipulate file system operations beyond intended boundaries. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and input validation, creating an attack surface that allows remote code execution through unauthorized file system modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the ActiveX control's SaveAs method functionality. When an attacker provides a full pathname as an argument, the control fails to properly sanitize or validate the path specification, allowing absolute paths to be interpreted and executed without proper authorization checks. This behavior creates a path traversal condition that enables attackers to write files to arbitrary locations on the target system, potentially overwriting critical system files or creating malicious payloads. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the ActiveX control level, meaning it can be exploited through web browsers or any application that hosts the control, making the attack vector extremely broad and accessible. The flaw is categorized under CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through ActiveX controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, as it enables a complete compromise of the affected system's file integrity and confidentiality. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite system-critical files, install persistent backdoors, or execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application. The ability to copy content from local files via the Load method further amplifies the threat, as it allows attackers to read sensitive data from the local file system and potentially exfiltrate information. This dual capability of both writing and reading files creates a complete attack chain that can be used for privilege escalation, data theft, or system compromise. The vulnerability affects legacy systems running Visual Studio 6.0, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments, making the potential impact substantial.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4890 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and access control measures. Organizations should implement strict path validation mechanisms that prevent absolute path specifications from being processed by the vulnerable ActiveX control, ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. The most effective remediation involves removing or disabling the vulnerable VBTOVSI.DLL component from affected systems, as this ActiveX control is obsolete and no longer supported by Microsoft. Security configurations should enforce strict file system permissions and implement sandboxing techniques to limit the potential damage from any successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and browser security policies should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to systems hosting vulnerable ActiveX controls, while regular security assessments should identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy software components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and properly securing legacy applications that may contain unpatched security flaws.