CVE-2007-6530 in Virtual Office
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the XUpload.ocx ActiveX control in Persits Software XUpload 2.1.0.1, and probably other versions before 3.0, as used by HP Mercury LoadRunner and Groove Virtual Office, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long argument to the AddFolder function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6530 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the XUpload.ocx ActiveX control developed by Persits Software. This control version 2.1.0.1 and potentially earlier releases up to 3.0 contains a fundamental memory management error that creates an exploitable condition when processing user-supplied input. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the AddFolder function where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to provide excessively long argument strings that exceed the allocated buffer space. This particular ActiveX control was widely integrated into enterprise testing and collaboration platforms including HP Mercury LoadRunner and Groove Virtual Office, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous due to its potential for widespread exploitation across multiple applications and environments.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper input validation within the ActiveX control's AddFolder method. When the control receives a malformed argument string, it fails to properly validate the length of the input before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the control uses unsafe string handling functions that do not perform adequate bounds checking, allowing the overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and memory boundary enforcement. The flaw exists at the core of the ActiveX control's architecture, making it inherently susceptible to exploitation without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities when exploited successfully. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application, typically resulting in full system compromise or privilege escalation within the target environment. The integration of XUpload.ocx into HP Mercury LoadRunner and Groove Virtual Office creates a particularly dangerous scenario since these applications often run with elevated privileges in enterprise environments, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network resources and data. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, while also supporting lateral movement and persistence activities through the execution of malicious payloads that can establish backdoors or exfiltrate data from compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6530 require immediate action to address the root cause through software updates and security hardening measures. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Persits Software XUpload version 3.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement ActiveX control restrictions through group policy settings to limit the execution of potentially vulnerable controls in web browsers and other applications. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable applications, implementation of application whitelisting policies, and regular security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls within the enterprise environment. Security monitoring should focus on detecting suspicious ActiveX control usage patterns and anomalous network behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against legacy vulnerabilities that may remain undetected in enterprise environments.