CVE-2008-2745 in Annotation Software
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in BiAnno ActiveX Control (BiAnno.ocx) in Black Ice Software Annotation Plugin 10.95 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long parameter to the AnnoSaveToTiff method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2745 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the BiAnno ActiveX control component of Black Ice Software Annotation Plugin version 10.95. This flaw exists in the AnnoSaveToTiff method which processes user-supplied parameters without adequate input validation or bounds checking. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker provides an excessively long parameter value to this method, causing the software to write beyond the allocated stack buffer space and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the ActiveX control architecture, which operates under the assumption that all incoming parameters will conform to expected size limitations. When the AnnoSaveToTiff method receives a parameter exceeding the predefined buffer capacity, the overflow occurs in the stack memory region where local variables and function return addresses are stored. This condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that adversaries can leverage to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a direct threat to application stability and system integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions to enable remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can construct malicious parameter values that, when processed by the vulnerable ActiveX control, overwrite critical memory locations with malicious code or shellcode. This exploitation vector is particularly dangerous in web browser environments where ActiveX controls are automatically executed, allowing attackers to bypass traditional security mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects systems running the specific version of Black Ice Software Annotation Plugin and exposes endpoints to arbitrary code execution attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected Black Ice Software Annotation Plugin to version 10.96 or later which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of the vulnerable BiAnno.ocx control and consider disabling ActiveX controls in browser environments where they are not essential. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious parameter values being passed to known vulnerable methods. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of executing untrusted content that may trigger ActiveX control execution, and organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected ActiveX controls within their environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting its potential for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise when exploited successfully.