CVE-2008-2683 in Barcode SDK
Summary
by MITRE
The BIDIB.BIDIBCtrl.1 ActiveX control in BIDIB.ocx 10.9.3.0 in Black Ice Barcode SDK 5.01 allows remote attackers to force the download and storage of arbitrary files by specifying the origin URL in the first argument to the DownloadImageFileURL method, and the local filename in the second argument. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The CVE-2008-2683 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Black Ice Barcode SDK 5.01 software suite, specifically within the BIDIB.ocx ActiveX control version 10.9.3.0. This vulnerability manifests as a file download and storage manipulation capability that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The flaw exists in the DownloadImageFileURL method of the BIDIBCtrl.1 ActiveX control, which accepts two arguments where the first argument specifies the source URL and the second argument determines the local filename for storage. This design pattern creates a dangerous attack surface that allows unauthorized file operations on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the ActiveX control level, which typically runs with elevated privileges in web browser contexts, making it a prime target for exploitation in browser-based attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the ActiveX control's DownloadImageFileURL method. When an attacker provides a malicious URL in the first parameter, the control will attempt to download content from that location without proper verification of the source or content type. The second parameter, which specifies the local filename, can be manipulated to determine where and how the downloaded content is stored on the target system. This creates a path traversal or arbitrary file write condition that can be leveraged to place malicious files in critical system directories or overwrite existing legitimate files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, as attackers can manipulate file paths to write to unintended locations. Additionally, the flaw demonstrates characteristics of CWE-94 Code Injection, where unvalidated user input can be executed as code within the context of the control's operation.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2683 extends beyond simple file manipulation to encompass broader system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to download and execute malicious payloads such as malware, backdoors, or additional exploit components directly onto vulnerable systems. The attack can be initiated through web browsers that have the affected ActiveX control installed, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where users may browse untrusted websites or click on malicious links. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering campaigns, drive-by downloads, or compromised websites that embed malicious ActiveX calls. This type of attack maps to ATT&CK technique T1195.001 for Phishing with Malicious Attachments and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic, as the exploitation typically involves crafting malicious web content that triggers the vulnerable ActiveX control. The attack surface is further expanded because ActiveX controls often run with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially enabling privilege escalation scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2683 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most effective immediate solution involves removing or disabling the vulnerable BIDIB.ocx ActiveX control from affected systems, particularly those running Internet Explorer or other browsers that support ActiveX controls. Organizations should implement strict ActiveX control policies through Group Policy or browser security settings to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious controls. The vulnerability can be addressed through patch management by updating to newer versions of the Black Ice Barcode SDK that do not contain the vulnerable ActiveX control. Network-level mitigations include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious ActiveX control usage patterns, as well as network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security awareness training for users is also crucial to prevent social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability, as users may be tricked into visiting malicious websites or opening compromised email attachments that trigger the exploit. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running the affected software and ensure that proper access controls are implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.