CVE-2007-5322 in Visual FoxPro
Summary
by MITRE
Insecure method vulnerability in the FPOLE.OCX 6.0.8450.0 ActiveX control in Microsoft Visual FoxPro 6.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary programs by specifying them as an argument to the FoxDoCmd function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5322 represents a critical insecure method flaw within the FPOLE.OCX ActiveX control version 6.0.8450.0 that ships with Microsoft Visual FoxPro 6.0. This ActiveX control exposes the FoxDoCmd function which accepts user-supplied arguments without proper validation or sanitization, creating a path for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from the control's design to execute system commands directly through the FoxDoCmd function, making it susceptible to command injection attacks when invoked through web browsers or other applications that load ActiveX controls. The flaw exists because the control lacks proper input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious command sequences from being passed to the underlying operating system.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with CWE-94, representing improper control of generation of code, since the control allows arbitrary code execution through command invocation. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious web content that loads the vulnerable FPOLE.OCX control and invokes the FoxDoCmd function with malicious command parameters. When a user visits a compromised webpage, the browser loads the ActiveX control and executes the attacker's commands with the privileges of the user running the browser, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because ActiveX controls are often automatically loaded by Internet Explorer without user consent, making exploitation occur silently and without user awareness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems through the Visual FoxPro environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or perform further reconnaissance within the network. The vulnerability affects systems running Microsoft Visual FoxPro 6.0 and the associated FPOLE.OCX control, which was commonly deployed in enterprise environments for legacy database applications. Security researchers have classified this as a high-severity vulnerability due to its ease of exploitation and the broad impact it can have on systems that have not been updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the risks associated with ActiveX controls in web environments, where the principle of least privilege is often violated through improper control of code generation and execution paths.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching and removal of the vulnerable ActiveX control from affected systems. Microsoft released updates to address this vulnerability, but organizations should also implement browser security policies that prevent automatic loading of ActiveX controls or restrict their execution to trusted sites only. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized programs through the vulnerable FoxDoCmd function. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can use the vulnerable function to execute system commands through the command line interface. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls and implement proper input validation at network boundaries to prevent malicious payloads from reaching vulnerable systems, particularly focusing on preventing the loading of known vulnerable ActiveX controls through browser security policies and registry restrictions.