CVE-2008-0078 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in an ActiveX control (dxtmsft.dll) in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01, 6 SP1 and SP2, and 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted image, aka "Argument Handling Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0078 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer's ActiveX control system, specifically affecting versions 5.01, 6 Service Pack 1 and 2, and 7. This issue manifests through the dxtmsft.dll ActiveX control which is part of Microsoft's DirectX technology stack designed for multimedia applications. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of arguments within the control's memory management routines, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution attacks that can be triggered through maliciously crafted image files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Internet Explorer processes a specially crafted image file that contains malformed arguments within the dxtmsft.dll ActiveX control. This flaw falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions, as the control fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them in memory. The memory corruption occurs during argument handling within the ActiveX control's processing pipeline, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim's browser session.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise environments as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack vector leverages the inherent trust model of ActiveX controls within Internet Explorer, where legitimate controls are automatically executed when encountered in web pages. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through malicious code injection, and T1059, representing command and scripting interpreter usage. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor establishment within the victim's environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer, applying the relevant Microsoft security patches released in response to this vulnerability, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The recommended remediation strategy involves updating to patched versions of Internet Explorer and implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary ActiveX controls and restricting user privileges. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and opening unknown attachments, as these vulnerabilities are often exploited through social engineering tactics that lure users into visiting malicious web content.