CVE-2007-6333 in Quick Launch Button
Summary
by MITRE
The HPInfoDLL.HPInfo.1 ActiveX control in HPInfoDLL.dll 1.0, as shipped with HP Info Center (hpinfocenter.exe) 1.0.1.1 in HP Quick Launch Button (QLBCTRL.exe, aka QLB) 6.3 and earlier, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary registry values via the arguments to the GetRegValue method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6333 represents a critical security flaw in the HP Info Center component of HP Quick Launch Button software versions 6.3 and earlier. This issue resides within the HPInfoDLL.HPInfo.1 ActiveX control that is packaged with HP Info Center version 1.0.1.1, specifically in the HPInfoDLL.dll library version 1.0. The ActiveX control is designed to provide system information and configuration details through the Windows registry, but it suffers from improper input validation that allows malicious actors to exploit its functionality. The vulnerability specifically affects the GetRegValue method which is intended to retrieve registry values but can be manipulated to access arbitrary registry locations through crafted arguments, bypassing normal access controls and security boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests through the lack of proper parameter validation in the ActiveX control's GetRegValue method implementation. When an attacker provides malicious arguments to this method, the control fails to properly sanitize or restrict the registry paths that can be accessed, allowing for unauthorized reading of registry values that should normally be protected or restricted. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, where the system does not adequately validate user-supplied input before processing it. The issue represents a privilege escalation vector since registry access can reveal sensitive system configuration data, authentication credentials, or other confidential information stored in the Windows registry. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that ActiveX controls are typically executed with elevated privileges when loaded in web browsers or other trusted environments, making the attack surface particularly dangerous.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gather intelligence about the target system for further exploitation. By reading arbitrary registry values, an attacker can obtain sensitive information such as installed software versions, system configuration parameters, user account details, or even encrypted credentials stored in registry locations. This information can then be used to craft more sophisticated attacks or to tailor subsequent exploitation attempts against the specific system configuration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where HP Quick Launch Button software is widely deployed, as it could allow attackers to gather systematic information across multiple systems. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system, making it a significant threat in networked environments where ActiveX controls are enabled in web browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution is to update to newer versions of HP Quick Launch Button software that contain patched versions of the HPInfoDLL.dll component, specifically targeting HP QLB versions 6.4 and later which address this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement browser security policies that disable ActiveX controls or restrict their execution to trusted zones only. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through ActiveX controls, and T1069.001 for credential access through registry enumeration. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of protection by preventing the execution of vulnerable ActiveX components. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious registry access patterns and implement proper access controls through Windows registry permissions to limit what information can be read by potentially compromised applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and the risks associated with legacy ActiveX controls that may not adhere to modern security standards.