CVE-2008-1307 in Antivirus Online Update Module
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the KUpdateObj2 Class ActiveX control in UpdateOcx2.dll in Beijing KingSoft Antivirus Online Update Module 2007.12.29.29 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long argument to the SetUninstallName method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1307 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the KUpdateObj2 Class ActiveX control within Beijing KingSoft Antivirus Online Update Module version 2007.12.29.29. This flaw resides in the UpdateOcx2.dll component and specifically manifests when processing input through the SetUninstallName method, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the ActiveX control implementation, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations through a carefully crafted malicious argument.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic heap-based buffer overflow pattern where the SetUninstallName method fails to properly validate the length of input arguments before copying them into fixed-size memory buffers. When a maliciously long argument is passed to this method, it exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite heap memory.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running the affected KingSoft antivirus module, particularly in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are frequently enabled for automatic updates. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the vulnerability without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability affects systems where the specific ActiveX control is registered and enabled, typically in Windows environments with the KingSoft antivirus software installed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software components, as the vendor would have released updates addressing the buffer overflow issue. Organizations should implement strict ActiveX control restrictions through group policies or browser security settings to prevent automatic execution of potentially vulnerable controls. Network-based mitigations could include firewall rules blocking access to known vulnerable endpoints and implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious ActiveX control usage patterns and abnormal memory allocation behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK technique T1175 which covers the use of ActiveX and Java applets for execution and privilege escalation. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX controls and maintain regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other third-party components.