CVE-2007-4982 in QRCode ActiveX
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple absolute path traversal vulnerabilities in the MW6QRCode.QRCode.1 ActiveX control in MW6QRCode.dll in MW6 Technologies QRCode ActiveX 3.0.0.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument to the (1) SaveAsBMP or (2) SaveAsWMF method. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The CVE-2007-4982 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in the MW6 Technologies QRCode ActiveX control version 3.0.0.1 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the MW6QRCode.dll library and affects the MW6QRCode.QRCode.1 ActiveX control implementation. The flaw manifests specifically in two methods of the control: SaveAsBMP and SaveAsWMF, which are designed to save QR code images in different graphic formats. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within these methods, allowing attackers to specify absolute file paths that bypass normal file system access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of method arguments in the ActiveX control's interface. When an attacker invokes either SaveAsBMP or SaveAsWMF methods with a full pathname argument, the control fails to validate whether the specified path is within acceptable boundaries. This lack of path validation enables arbitrary file creation or overwriting operations, potentially allowing attackers to write malicious content to system directories or overwrite critical system files. The vulnerability is classified as a directory traversal attack, specifically an absolute path traversal, where the attacker can specify complete file paths rather than relative paths that might be properly validated. This weakness aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation and can lead to significant security compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to overwrite system binaries, create backdoor files, or inject malicious code into the target system. The ActiveX control's design allows for arbitrary file system access when invoked through web browsers or other applications that support ActiveX components, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are enabled. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web pages, email attachments, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into executing the vulnerable ActiveX control. This represents a classic attack pattern that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.002, which covers the use of ActiveX controls for malicious purposes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4982 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The most effective solution involves removing or disabling the vulnerable MW6 Technologies QRCode ActiveX control from all affected systems, as the control cannot be patched due to its age and the lack of vendor support. Organizations should implement strict ActiveX control policies that prevent unauthorized ActiveX components from running in browser environments. Network-level controls such as firewall rules and web application firewalls can help prevent exploitation attempts by blocking access to known vulnerable ActiveX components. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls or legacy software components that may present similar path traversal risks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of legacy software components that lack modern security features, particularly in environments where ActiveX controls are still permitted to execute.