CVE-2007-4916 in Photo And Imaging Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the FileFind::FindFile method in (1) MFC42.dll, (2) MFC42u.dll, (3) MFC71.dll, and (4) MFC71u.dll in Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) Library 8.0, as used by the ListFiles method in hpqutil.dll 2.0.0.138 in Hewlett-Packard (HP) All-in-One and Photo & Imaging Gallery 1.1 and probably other products, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long first argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4916 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library components that affects multiple versions of the MFC runtime libraries including MFC42.dll, MFC42u.dll, MFC71.dll, and MFC71u.dll. This flaw specifically manifests in the FileFind::FindFile method when invoked through the ListFiles method in hpqutil.dll version 2.0.0.138, which is utilized by Hewlett-Packard's All-in-One and Photo & Imaging Gallery 1.1 software products. The vulnerability operates through a context-dependent attack vector where malicious input can trigger memory corruption in the heap allocation space, creating potential for both system instability and code execution.
The technical mechanism of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the MFC library's file finding functionality. When the ListFiles method processes a long first argument parameter, the underlying FileFind::FindFile implementation fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size heap buffer. This condition allows attackers to overflow the allocated memory space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function return addresses, stack canaries, or other critical program structures. The vulnerability's classification as heap-based indicates that the overflow occurs in dynamically allocated memory rather than on the stack, making exploitation more complex but still feasible for skilled attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected application. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can cause the targeted application to crash or, more dangerously, allow an attacker to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the vulnerable process. This represents a significant security risk for systems running affected HP software, particularly in enterprise environments where such applications might be used with elevated privileges or in networked scenarios. The vulnerability affects not just HP-specific products but potentially any software that utilizes the vulnerable MFC library components, amplifying its potential attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4916 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through Microsoft's security updates and HP's software releases that address the underlying MFC library vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted networks or users. Additionally, application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of potentially malicious code through the vulnerable file handling mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow patterns and represents a technique that could be mapped to ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and execution through the use of vulnerable system libraries. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous file operations and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should target applications using affected MFC components to ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.