CVE-2008-4299 in Internet Authentication Service Helper Com Component
Summary
by MITRE
A certain ActiveX control in the Microsoft Internet Authentication Service (IAS) Helper COM Component in iashlpr.dll allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (browser crash) via a large integer value in the first argument to the PutProperty method. NOTE: this issue was disclosed by an unreliable researcher, so it might be incorrect.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4299 resides within the Microsoft Internet Authentication Service IAS Helper COM component, specifically in the iashlpr.dll file. This ActiveX control represents a critical point of failure in Microsoft's authentication infrastructure, as it exposes a remote code execution surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt system operations. The flaw manifests through improper input validation within the PutProperty method of the COM component, which fails to adequately handle malformed parameter values. This vulnerability falls under the category of buffer overflow conditions and memory corruption issues that have historically plagued ActiveX controls and COM components in Microsoft Windows environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious web page or ActiveX control that invokes the PutProperty method with an excessively large integer value in its first argument. This malformed input causes the iashlpr.dll component to process the invalid parameter without proper bounds checking or validation, leading to memory corruption within the application hosting the ActiveX control. The resulting memory instability causes the browser process to crash and terminate unexpectedly, effectively creating a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing web services that rely on the affected authentication infrastructure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where Microsoft IAS is deployed for network authentication services. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this flaw from anywhere on the internet without requiring local system access or credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that depend on web-based authentication services. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue means that while it may not directly lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation, it can severely impact availability and service continuity. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that leads to memory corruption.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting enterprise networks. Attackers may use this weakness to disrupt authentication services, potentially creating opportunities for more sophisticated attacks or as a means to test network defenses. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1499 category of Network Denial of Service, where adversaries seek to disrupt network services and availability. The unreliable researcher disclosure noted in the original description suggests that the vulnerability may have been discovered through unconventional means, potentially indicating that similar issues could exist in other components of the IAS infrastructure or related authentication services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4299 should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as well as network-based controls to prevent access to potentially malicious ActiveX content. Organizations should implement strict ActiveX control policies, disable unnecessary ActiveX components, and ensure that all systems are running current security patches. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the exposure of systems running IAS components, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation in COM components and ActiveX controls, as well as the need for robust security testing of authentication services that are exposed to untrusted network environments.