CVE-2007-5257 in Office Viewer Component
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the EDraw.OfficeViewer ActiveX control in officeviewer.ocx in EDraw Office Viewer Component 5.3.220.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long strings in the first and second arguments to the FtpDownloadFile method, a different vector than CVE-2007-4821 and CVE-2007-3169.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5257 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the EDraw.OfficeViewer ActiveX control component. This flaw exists in the officeviewer.ocx file version 5.3.220.1 and earlier versions of the EDraw Office Viewer Component, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects the FtpDownloadFile method where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory through carefully crafted string parameters, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the ActiveX control's handling of user-supplied data. When the FtpDownloadFile method receives input parameters, particularly the first and second arguments, the application fails to properly validate the length of these strings before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application does not enforce size limitations on input data, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data structures. The vulnerability manifests as a stack-based buffer overflow according to CWE-121, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions where data is copied into a stack-based buffer without proper bounds checking.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are permitted to execute within web browsers or desktop applications. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious web pages or Office documents containing specially formatted arguments to the FtpDownloadFile method, which would then trigger the buffer overflow when the vulnerable ActiveX control processes the input. The remote execution capability makes this particularly dangerous as attackers do not require local system access to exploit the vulnerability, enabling them to compromise systems simply by convincing users to visit malicious websites or open infected documents. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services and ActiveX controls for privilege escalation and code execution.
The impact of successful exploitation includes complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user or application. This vulnerability can be used to install malware, steal sensitive data, establish persistent backdoors, or facilitate further attacks within the network. Organizations using the affected EDraw Office Viewer Component are particularly at risk since ActiveX controls are commonly enabled in corporate environments, especially in legacy systems that have not been properly updated or patched. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that it can be exploited across network boundaries without requiring physical access to target systems, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals and nation-state actors seeking to establish footholds within enterprise networks. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected component, disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, implementing strict network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.