CVE-2008-4923 in Aztec ActiveX
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple insecure method vulnerabilities in MW6 Technologies Aztec ActiveX control (AZTECLib.MW6Aztec, Aztec.dll) 3.0.0.1 allow remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a full pathname argument to the (1) SaveAsBMP and (2) SaveAsWMF methods.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The CVE-2008-4923 vulnerability represents a critical insecure method flaw within the MW6 Technologies Aztec ActiveX control version 3.0.0.1, specifically affecting the AZTECLib.MW6Aztec component and Aztec.dll library. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the control's file handling methods, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by remote adversaries. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The affected ActiveX control operates within the Windows operating system environment and leverages the component object model architecture, making it susceptible to exploitation through web browsers and other applications that support ActiveX controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two specific methods within the Aztec ActiveX control: SaveAsBMP and SaveAsWMF, which are designed for saving document content in bitmap and windows metafile formats respectively. Attackers can exploit these methods by providing malicious full pathname arguments that bypass normal file system access controls and validation checks. When these methods are invoked with crafted input parameters, the ActiveX control fails to properly validate or sanitize the provided file paths, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file locations on the target system. This misconfiguration enables the control to write files to locations outside of its intended directory structure, potentially overwriting critical system files, user documents, or even executable components that could be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities, creating potential for more severe security consequences within compromised environments. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems by overwriting system files or installing malicious components that persist across system reboots. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be initiated through web-based interfaces, making it accessible to attackers without requiring local system access or prior authentication. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the exploitation of ActiveX controls for privilege escalation and code execution. The affected systems typically include Windows operating systems with Internet Explorer or other browsers that support ActiveX controls, making organizations with legacy software deployments particularly vulnerable to this class of attack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4923 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by MW6 Technologies, though given the age of this vulnerability, organizations may need to consider alternative approaches such as disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, implementing strict network segmentation, and deploying application whitelisting solutions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly for components that handle file system operations. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for users to recognize potentially malicious web content and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized file modifications. The remediation process should include thorough vulnerability assessments of all ActiveX components within the organization's attack surface, with particular attention to deprecated or legacy software that may not receive ongoing security updates. Additionally, network administrators should configure firewalls and access controls to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable ActiveX controls and implement regular security audits to identify and address similar insecure method vulnerabilities in other software components.