CVE-2007-5892 in Ultra Star Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the pdg2.dll ActiveX control in SSReader 4.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long argument to the Register method. NOTE: some details were obtained from third party sources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5892 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the pdg2.dll ActiveX control component of SSReader version 4.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the Register method of the ActiveX control, which fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the control's implementation, specifically when handling user-provided arguments that exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in ActiveX controls because they are designed to execute within web browsers and other host applications, providing attackers with direct access to the underlying system execution environment. The buffer overflow occurs when a maliciously crafted argument exceeding the predefined buffer size is passed to the Register method, causing the excess data to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations including return addresses and other critical control data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to organizations using SSReader versions 4.0 or earlier, as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction or authentication. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web pages or documents that invoke the vulnerable ActiveX control with oversized arguments, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the affected application. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that ActiveX controls are commonly enabled in Internet Explorer and other Windows-based browsers, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target systems. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1195.002, which covers the exploitation of ActiveX controls for code execution and privilege escalation.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access. Organizations that have not updated their SSReader installations remain at risk of being targeted by attackers who can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls may be enabled by default or through corporate policies. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability was present in legacy software versions, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and regularly reviewing deployed software components for known vulnerabilities. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of SSReader to versions that address this buffer overflow condition, along with implementing browser security configurations that disable ActiveX controls or restrict their execution to trusted zones only.