CVE-2008-1490 in Image Uploader Activex Control
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in a certain Aurigma ActiveX control in ImageUploader4.ocx 4.1.36.0, as used with Piczo (aka Pizco) and possibly other online services, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, possibly involving a long Action property, a different CLSID than CVE-2008-0659.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1490 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Aurigma ImageUploader4.ocx ActiveX control version 4.1.36.0. This particular ActiveX component was widely integrated into various online photo sharing platforms including Piczo, making it a significant security concern for web applications that relied on this third-party control for image upload functionality. The flaw exists within the control's handling of user-supplied input, specifically when processing the Action property parameter, which creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the Aurigma ActiveX control's processing logic. When the control receives a malformed or excessively long Action property value, it fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer. This classic programming error creates a situation where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite critical program execution pointers or inject malicious code into the process memory space. The vulnerability's exploitation vector appears to involve manipulation of the CLSID associated with the control, distinguishing it from similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2008-0659 while maintaining the same fundamental buffer overflow principle. This particular implementation flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates the dangerous potential for privilege escalation when ActiveX controls are improperly secured.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass significant security implications for organizations relying on vulnerable web applications. Attackers exploiting this flaw could potentially gain full system control of user machines, install persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from compromised systems. The widespread deployment of the affected Aurigma ImageUploader4.ocx control across multiple online services meant that the attack surface was extensive, potentially affecting thousands of users simultaneously. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how third-party components can introduce critical security weaknesses into otherwise secure applications, particularly when these components are not properly vetted for security flaws or updated with security patches. The risk is amplified by the fact that ActiveX controls operate with elevated privileges in Windows environments, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous from a threat perspective.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1490 should focus on immediate remediation of the vulnerable ActiveX control through software updates or complete removal from affected systems. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of the vulnerable ImageUploader4.ocx control are updated to secure versions. Browser security configurations should be adjusted to restrict ActiveX control loading or disable it entirely for untrusted websites. Network-level defenses including firewall rules and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious ActiveX-related traffic patterns. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the risks associated with ActiveX controls and the importance of maintaining updated software components. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability highlights the necessity of following security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for managing third-party software vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls or similar components within the organization's infrastructure, as similar patterns of insecure buffer handling may exist in other software components.