CVE-2008-2470 in Flexnet Connect
Summary
by MITRE
The InstallShield Update Service Agent ActiveX control in isusweb.dll allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and browser crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a call to ExecuteRemote with a URL that results in a 404 error response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The CVE-2008-2470 vulnerability resides within the InstallShield Update Service Agent ActiveX control, specifically in the isusweb.dll component that is commonly distributed with various software installations. This ActiveX control represents a critical security flaw in the Windows operating system environment where it can be loaded and executed within web browsers, particularly Internet Explorer. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of URL requests within the ExecuteRemote method, which creates a dangerous attack surface for remote code execution and denial of service conditions. The flaw manifests when the control processes a malformed URL that returns a 404 error response, triggering memory corruption within the browser process. This vulnerability exemplifies a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through improper input validation and memory management practices, aligning with CWE-121 which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious web page loads the vulnerable ActiveX control and invokes the ExecuteRemote method with a specially crafted URL parameter. When the remote server responds with a 404 error code, the control fails to properly handle this response, leading to memory corruption within the browser process. The corrupted memory can then be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the browser, potentially allowing full system compromise. The vulnerability represents a serious security risk because ActiveX controls are designed to run with elevated privileges in the browser context, making them particularly dangerous when exploited. This flaw directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2470 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise potential. When exploited successfully, attackers can execute malicious code within the browser environment, potentially leading to data theft, system modification, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a wide range of systems where InstallShield Update Service Agent is installed, including corporate networks where software deployment tools commonly utilize this component. Organizations running affected versions of InstallShield software are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous because it can cause unpredictable behavior in the browser process, potentially leading to system instability and crashes that could be used to mask malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2470 should focus on multiple layers of protection including immediate patching of vulnerable InstallShield components, disabling ActiveX controls in browser settings, and implementing network-level restrictions to prevent access to known malicious domains. Security administrators should consider disabling the specific isusweb.dll ActiveX control through registry modifications or browser security policies to prevent automatic loading of the vulnerable component. Additionally, network administrators should implement intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to access vulnerable URLs that may trigger this memory corruption condition. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and error handling in software components, particularly those that operate in privileged contexts such as browser environments. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of unsigned or untrusted ActiveX controls, which aligns with the security best practices outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001 standards. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for the presence of vulnerable ActiveX controls to prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific flaw.