CVE-2007-6028 in FlexGrid
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the VSFlexGrid.VSFlexGridL ActiveX control in ComponentOne FlexGrid 7.1 Light allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long string in the (1) Text, (2) EditSelText, (3) EditText, and (4) CellFontName property values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6028 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the VSFlexGrid.VSFlexGridL ActiveX control version 7.1 Light distributed by ComponentOne. This vulnerability affects the widely used FlexGrid component that enables developers to create grid-based user interfaces in applications. The flaw manifests in multiple property values including Text, EditSelText, EditText, and CellFontName, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit any of these four entry points to trigger the overflow condition. The vulnerability resides in the ActiveX control's insufficient input validation mechanisms, which fail to properly check string length limits before copying data onto the stack. This allows malicious actors to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of ActiveX control properties that accept string input parameters. When a malicious string exceeding the allocated buffer size is passed to any of the vulnerable properties, the control's internal handling routines fail to perform proper bounds checking. This results in a classic stack buffer overflow where the excessive data overwrites adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the FlexGrid control's core functionality, which is commonly used in enterprise applications, web browsers, and desktop software environments. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting the return address, potentially leading to code execution with the privileges of the affected application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on ComponentOne FlexGrid components in their applications. The denial of service aspect can render applications unstable and unresponsive, while the potential for arbitrary code execution poses a severe threat to system integrity and data security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems where ActiveX controls are supported, particularly when browsers or applications invoke the vulnerable FlexGrid component. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that these properties are commonly used in web applications, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow weakness category and corresponds to attack techniques described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, updating to patched versions of ComponentOne FlexGrid, and applying network-based restrictions to prevent access to vulnerable applications. The recommended approach involves comprehensive patch management programs that ensure all instances of the vulnerable ActiveX control are updated to versions that include proper input validation and bounds checking. Additionally, security administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unsigned ActiveX controls and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of applications using ComponentOne components should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in component-based development and highlights the risks associated with legacy ActiveX controls in modern security environments.