CVE-2009-0133 in HTML Help Workshop
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Microsoft HTML Help Workshop 4.74 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a .hhp file with a long "Index file" field, possibly a related issue to CVE-2006-0564.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0133 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft HTML Help Workshop version 4.74 and earlier releases. This software component serves as a development tool for creating help files and documentation in the htmlhelp format widely used in windows applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing .hhp files which are project files containing configuration parameters for help systems including metadata about the help content structure. The flaw occurs when the "Index file" field within these project files contains an excessively long string of characters that exceeds the allocated buffer space in the application's memory management routines.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the html help workshop's parsing logic. When the application encounters a malformed .hhp file with an oversized Index file field, the program fails to properly sanitize the input before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations with crafted data, potentially corrupting program execution flow. The vulnerability is context-dependent meaning it requires specific conditions to be exploited successfully, typically involving the victim opening a specially crafted .hhp file through the vulnerable html help workshop application. The flaw is particularly concerning as it could enable remote code execution when the malicious file is delivered through web-based attacks or social engineering campaigns targeting users who have the vulnerable software installed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within enterprise environments where html help workshop tools are commonly used for documentation development and software maintenance. Attackers could leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the html help workshop application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2006-0564 indicates it may represent a similar class of buffer overflow issues within the same software family, suggesting broader architectural weaknesses in the application's input handling mechanisms. Organizations with legacy systems running older versions of html help workshop face heightened risk as these applications often remain installed on development workstations and documentation servers. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the mitre attack framework, particularly in the execution and privilege escalation phases where attackers exploit software flaws to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0133 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from microsoft to address the buffer overflow conditions in html help workshop. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the software and ensure proper patch management protocols are implemented. Network segmentation and application whitelisting controls can provide additional defense layers by restricting execution of potentially malicious help files. Security awareness training for developers and documentation teams should emphasize the risks of opening untrusted .hhp files and the importance of validating input sources. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cwes 121 and 125 which specifically address buffer overflow conditions and inadequate boundary checks in memory management. Organizations should also implement file type restrictions and content scanning mechanisms to detect potentially malicious help files before they can be processed by vulnerable applications, following recommended practices from cybersecurity frameworks that emphasize defense in depth strategies for mitigating software vulnerabilities.