CVE-2008-4342 in BurnAware
Summary
by MITRE
NuMedia Soft NMS DVD Burning SDK Activex NMSDVDX.DVDEngineX.1 ActiveX control (NMSDVDX.dll) 1.013C and earlier, as used in CDBurnerXP 4.2.1.976, BurnAware 2.1.3, Blaze Media Pro 8.02 Special Edition, and possibly other products, allows remote attackers to overwrite and create arbitrary files via calls to the EnableLog and LogMessage methods. NOTE: this issue might only be exploitable in limited environments or non-default browser settings. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information. NOTE: this can be leveraged for remote code execution by accessing files using hcp:// URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4342 represents a critical file system manipulation flaw within the NuMedia Soft NMS DVD Burning SDK ActiveX control version 1.013C and earlier. This vulnerability affects multiple media burning applications including CDBurnerXP, BurnAware, and Blaze Media Pro, creating a widespread security risk across various digital audio and video burning platforms. The core issue lies in the improper validation of file paths and operations within the NMSDVDX.dll ActiveX component, specifically within the EnableLog and LogMessage methods that are exposed to remote attackers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ActiveX controls are enabled by default.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the ActiveX control's failure to properly sanitize input parameters passed to the EnableLog and LogMessage methods. When these methods receive crafted input, they can be manipulated to create or overwrite arbitrary files on the target system, potentially allowing attackers to write malicious code to critical system locations. The vulnerability specifically leverages the ability of the ActiveX control to interact with the file system through these exposed interfaces, bypassing normal file system access controls and permissions. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-73, which covers external control of file name or path, both of which are fundamental file system security weaknesses. The attack vector becomes particularly dangerous when combined with hcp:// URL protocol handling, as this allows attackers to potentially execute code through the manipulation of help file paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, as it can be leveraged for remote code execution when combined with specific URL handling mechanisms. Attackers can potentially place malicious files in system directories, overwrite legitimate executables, or create backdoor access points through the manipulated logging functionality. The vulnerability's exploitation requires that ActiveX controls be enabled in the browser environment, which is often the case in corporate or home environments where such controls are not disabled by default. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web browsing or email attachments that contain malicious ActiveX content. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute code through application exploitation and system command execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require multiple layers of defense, beginning with immediate patching of affected applications and the NuMedia SDK components. System administrators should disable ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that applications running with elevated privileges cannot be manipulated through file system operations. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious ActiveX requests. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components. Organizations should also implement browser hardening policies that disable potentially dangerous ActiveX controls and ensure that users are educated about the risks associated with enabling ActiveX controls in web browsers. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in component-based applications, particularly those that interact with the file system through exposed interfaces.