CVE-2008-3702 in Download Accelerator Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the Animation GIF ActiveX control in JComSoft AniGIF.ocx 1.12 and 2.47, as used in products such as SpeedBit Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) 8.6, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long argument to the (1) ReadGIF or (2) ReadGIF2 method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3702 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Animation GIF ActiveX control component known as JComSoft AniGIF.ocx version 1.12 and 2.47. This ActiveX control was widely integrated into various software products including SpeedBit Download Accelerator Plus version 8.6, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The flaw specifically manifests in two distinct methods of the ActiveX control: ReadGIF and ReadGIF2, both of which accept string arguments that can trigger the buffer overflow condition when excessively long inputs are provided. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as a primary vector for remote code execution attacks in software applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent lack of proper input validation within the ActiveX control's method implementations. When a malicious user provides an argument exceeding the allocated stack buffer size to either ReadGIF or ReadGIF2 methods, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially overwriting critical program execution data including return addresses, stack canaries, or other control structures. This overflow condition creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the program flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in system compromise. The nature of ActiveX controls running within web browsers or application contexts makes this particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to leverage web-based delivery mechanisms to exploit the vulnerability without requiring local system access. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, demonstrating how legacy ActiveX components can serve as persistent attack vectors in enterprise environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3702 extends beyond simple code execution, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access to compromised systems through various attack vectors. Attackers typically construct malicious GIF files or web content that triggers the vulnerable methods when processed by the affected software, enabling them to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of SpeedBit DAP or other products incorporating the vulnerable ActiveX control. The exploitation process often involves crafting specially formatted arguments that cause predictable stack corruption, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads directly within the memory space of the target application. Organizations using affected software versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks, as the vulnerability can be exploited through web browsing activities or by tricking users into opening malicious content. The widespread adoption of SpeedBit DAP and similar download accelerators created a substantial attack surface that made this vulnerability particularly impactful across enterprise and consumer environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3702 require immediate remediation through software updates and security configuration changes. The most effective approach involves updating to patched versions of JComSoft AniGIF.ocx or removing the vulnerable ActiveX control entirely from affected systems. Organizations should implement browser security policies that disable ActiveX controls or restrict their execution to trusted zones only, particularly in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Additionally, network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Security administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX components and regularly audit installed software for vulnerable third-party libraries. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce reliance on potentially vulnerable legacy components, particularly those that operate with elevated privileges in user contexts. Given the age of this vulnerability and its exploitation patterns, organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls or similar components that may present similar security risks.