CVE-2008-2434 in HouseCall
Summary
by MITRE
The Trend Micro HouseCall ActiveX control 6.51.0.1028 and 6.6.0.1278 in Housecall_ActiveX.dll allows remote attackers to download an arbitrary library file onto a client system via a "custom update server" argument. NOTE: this can be leveraged for code execution by writing to a Startup folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2434 resides within the Trend Micro HouseCall ActiveX control version 6.51.0.1028 and 6.6.0.127.8, specifically in the Housecall_ActiveX.dll component. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate the software's update mechanism and potentially compromise client systems. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ActiveX control's handling of custom update server arguments, creating an attack vector that can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through the ActiveX control's insecure implementation of the custom update server parameter processing. When a user interacts with the vulnerable software, the control accepts arbitrary server addresses that can be manipulated to point to malicious servers. This allows attackers to specify any update server location, enabling them to download and execute arbitrary library files directly onto the client system. The vulnerability essentially creates a trusted execution environment where malicious code can be downloaded and installed without proper verification or authorization, exploiting the legitimate update functionality for malicious purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file downloads, as it provides a pathway for complete system compromise through code execution. Attackers can leverage the vulnerability to write malicious files to the Windows Startup folder, ensuring persistent access to the compromised system. This persistence mechanism allows attackers to maintain control over the infected machine even after reboots, effectively creating a backdoor that operates at system level. The vulnerability affects the broader security posture of organizations using Trend Micro HouseCall, as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into interacting with malicious content.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how ActiveX controls can be exploited when they fail to properly validate user-supplied data. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1106 for execution through legitimate system processes, T1059 for command and script interpreter usage, and T1068 for exploitation of remote services. The attack chain typically involves initial compromise through user interaction with malicious content, followed by exploitation of the ActiveX control to download additional payloads, and finally establishing persistence through the Windows Startup folder. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, updating to patched versions of Trend Micro HouseCall, and monitoring for suspicious file downloads in the Startup folder. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and DNS filtering can help prevent exploitation attempts by blocking connections to known malicious update servers.