CVE-2007-5660 in Update Service
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Update Service ActiveX control in isusweb.dll before 6.0.100.65101 in MacroVision FLEXnet Connect and InstallShield 2008 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an unspecified "unsafe method," possibly involving a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5660 represents a critical security flaw within the Update Service ActiveX control component of MacroVision FLEXnet Connect and InstallShield 2008 software suites. This vulnerability exists in the isusweb.dll library version prior to 6.0.100.65101 and constitutes a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited remotely. The flaw specifically affects the ActiveX control implementation which is commonly used for software update services and installation processes, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability given the widespread deployment of these software tools across enterprise environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from an unsafe method implementation within the ActiveX control that fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them. This unsafe method likely involves improper bounds checking when handling user-supplied data, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted inputs. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the control attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed, and is particularly concerning given the ActiveX control's privileged execution context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable software. The remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring local system access or user interaction. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the affected ActiveX control, which often corresponds to system administrator privileges in enterprise environments. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target networks and represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5660 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by MacroVision and InstallShield vendors. Organizations must ensure that all instances of FLEXnet Connect and InstallShield 2008 are updated to versions containing the security fixes. Network administrators should implement browser security controls to prevent automatic execution of ActiveX controls, particularly in environments where these controls are not strictly necessary for legitimate business operations. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access to systems through exploitation of vulnerabilities in software components. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable software and implement network segmentation to limit the potential blast radius of successful exploitation attempts.