CVE-2007-6387 in QuickBooks
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the awApi4.AnswerWorks.1 ActiveX control in awApi4.dll 4.0.0.42, as used by Vantage Linguistics AnswerWorks, and Intuit Clearly Bookkeeping, ProSeries, QuickBooks, Quicken, QuickTax, and TurboTax, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long arguments to the (1) GetHistory, (2) GetSeedQuery, (3) SetSeedQuery, and possibly other methods. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6387 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the awApi4.AnswerWorks.1 ActiveX control component version 4.0.0.42. This vulnerability affects multiple software applications including Vantage Linguistics AnswerWorks and various Intuit products such as ProSeries, QuickBooks, Quicken, QuickTax, and TurboTax. The flaw exists in the awApi4.dll dynamic link library and manifests through multiple method calls including GetHistory, GetSeedQuery, and SetSeedQuery, which can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The buffer overflow occurs when these methods receive excessively long arguments that exceed the allocated stack buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when data written to a stack buffer exceeds the buffer's allocated size, overwriting adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow. The ActiveX control architecture exacerbates the risk since these components are designed to run with elevated privileges in web browser contexts, providing attackers with a direct pathway to system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where the control fails to properly check argument lengths before copying data into fixed-size buffers, creating a predictable exploitation vector that requires minimal attacker sophistication.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-6387 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to vulnerable systems, potentially leading to full administrative control, persistent backdoor installation, and access to sensitive financial data handled by the affected applications. The widespread deployment of these affected applications across business and consumer environments creates a substantial attack surface, as the vulnerability can be triggered through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted document. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to conduct large-scale attacks against financial software users. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the affected applications and can lead to denial of service conditions when exploited, disrupting business operations for organizations relying on these accounting and tax preparation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6387 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from vendors, as the vulnerability affects widely used financial software applications. Organizations should implement ActiveX control restrictions through Group Policy settings or browser security configurations to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious ActiveX components. Network-based mitigations including firewall rules and web application firewalls can help detect and block exploitation attempts, though these measures are less effective than proper patching. System hardening practices should include disabling unnecessary ActiveX controls, implementing application whitelisting policies, and maintaining up-to-date antivirus signatures that can detect exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the attack chain typically involves initial compromise through web-based exploitation followed by privilege escalation to gain full system control. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify remaining instances of the vulnerable ActiveX controls, particularly in legacy systems where patch deployment may be delayed or incomplete.