CVE-2008-2959 in Visual Basic Enterprise Edition
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in a certain ActiveX control (vb6skit.dll) in Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition 6.0 SP6 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long lpstrLinkPath argument to the fCreateShellLink function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2959 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the vb6skit.dll ActiveX control component of Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition 6.0 Service Pack 6. This vulnerability resides in the fCreateShellLink function which processes the lpstrLinkPath argument, creating a potential remote code execution vector that could be exploited by malicious actors. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the ActiveX control's implementation, specifically when handling user-supplied string data that exceeds the allocated buffer size. The affected ActiveX control is part of the Visual Basic 6.0 runtime environment, which was widely distributed and used in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous due to its potential for widespread exploitation.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability occurs because the fCreateShellLink function does not properly validate the length of the lpstrLinkPath parameter before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This allows an attacker to craft a maliciously long string that exceeds the buffer capacity, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. The attack typically involves constructing a specially crafted web page or document containing the malicious ActiveX control with oversized parameters that trigger the buffer overflow during execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables remote code execution in the context of the user running the vulnerable application, which typically operates with the privileges of the logged-in user. This means that if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through a web browser or email client that loads the malicious ActiveX control, they could gain full control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects systems running Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition 6.0 SP6, which was prevalent in corporate environments during the late 2000s, making it particularly concerning for organizations that had not yet migrated to newer development environments. The attack surface extends beyond traditional web browsing to include email attachments, web applications, and any scenario where the vulnerable ActiveX control could be triggered.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2959 primarily involve disabling the vulnerable ActiveX control through registry modifications or browser security settings, as Microsoft provided patches and updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations should implement security policies that prevent automatic execution of ActiveX controls and enforce strict browser security configurations. The recommended approach includes disabling the vb6skit.dll ActiveX control through Internet Explorer security zones, implementing application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX components, and ensuring all systems are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, while security awareness training can help prevent users from inadvertently triggering the malicious code through phishing attacks or compromised websites. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which describes exploitation for execution, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques, highlighting the multi-layered approach required to defend against such attacks.