CVE-2008-0379 in ActiveX
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the Enterprise Tree ActiveX control (EnterpriseControls.dll 11.5.0.313) in Crystal Reports XI Release 2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via the SelectedSession method, which triggers a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0379 represents a critical race condition flaw within the Enterprise Tree ActiveX control component of SAP Crystal Reports XI Release 2. This specific issue affects the EnterpriseControls.dll version 11.5.0.313 and manifests through the SelectedSession method which serves as the attack vector for exploitation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains including buffer overflow conditions and race condition exploitation patterns that are commonly targeted in enterprise software environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the ActiveX control's SelectedSession method. When invoked remotely, this method creates a scenario where multiple threads can access shared resources simultaneously without proper locking mechanisms, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential memory corruption. The race condition occurs during the processing of user input parameters, where the control fails to adequately validate or sanitize input data before processing, resulting in a buffer overflow condition that can trigger application crashes or potentially allow arbitrary code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments that utilize Crystal Reports XI Release 2 for business intelligence and reporting purposes. The denial of service aspect can disrupt critical business processes that depend on report generation and data visualization capabilities. Organizations using this software may experience unexpected application crashes, system instability, and potential data access interruptions that can cascade into broader operational disruptions. The arbitrary code execution capability further elevates the threat level, as attackers could potentially gain unauthorized access to systems or escalate privileges within the affected environment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in software implementations, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The buffer overflow component of this vulnerability corresponds to CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow conditions that are frequently exploited in enterprise software attacks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how ActiveX controls can serve as attack surfaces in enterprise environments, particularly when legacy software components lack proper input validation and memory management practices.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and deploying application whitelisting controls to prevent unauthorized ActiveX control execution. Organizations should also consider disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, implementing network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their Crystal Reports installations. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully addressed without introducing regressions in existing functionality. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be implemented to prevent similar issues from arising in other enterprise software components that may share similar architectural patterns or implementation approaches.