CVE-2009-0194 in Garmin Communicator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The domain-locking implementation in the GARMINAXCONTROL.GarminAxControl_t.1 ActiveX control in npGarmin.dll in the Garmin Communicator Plug-In 2.6.4.0 does not properly enforce the restrictions that (1) download and (2) upload requests come from a web site specified by the user, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or reconfigure Garmin GPS devices via unspecified vectors related to a "synchronisation error."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0194 resides within the Garmin Communicator Plug-In version 2.6.4.0, specifically in the GARMINAXCONTROL.GarminAxControl_t.1 ActiveX control component. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the domain-locking mechanism that governs how the ActiveX control interacts with Garmin GPS devices through web-based interfaces. The implementation fails to properly validate the originating source of download and upload requests, creating a significant bypass opportunity for malicious actors. The vulnerability manifests in the npGarmin.dll library where the control resides, effectively undermining the intended security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized access to GPS device configurations and data.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper enforcement of domain restrictions within the ActiveX control's communication protocol. When users configure the Garmin Communicator Plug-In, they typically specify trusted domains from which synchronization requests should originate. However, the implementation does not rigorously verify that incoming requests comply with these user-defined restrictions, allowing remote attackers to craft malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate domains. This weakness creates a path for attackers to exploit the control's functionality without proper authorization, potentially enabling them to manipulate GPS device settings, extract sensitive device information, or perform unauthorized reconfigurations. The synchronization error vector represents a critical failure in the control's authentication and authorization mechanisms, as it allows attackers to circumvent the intended security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential device compromise and unauthorized configuration changes. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain access to sensitive GPS device data, including device identification information, configuration parameters, and potentially location data that the device might be transmitting or storing. The ability to reconfigure GPS devices remotely poses significant risks to both personal privacy and operational security, particularly in scenarios where GPS devices are used for critical navigation or tracking purposes. This vulnerability effectively transforms a legitimate plugin interface into a potential attack vector that could be exploited in cross-site scripting attacks or other web-based exploitation scenarios, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where GPS devices might be integrated into critical systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin deactivation or removal from affected systems, as the flaw exists in a deprecated component that lacks proper security updates. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to prevent communication with potentially compromised Garmin devices and consider disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a privilege escalation and persistence technique that could be used to maintain access to GPS device configurations. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of the vulnerable npGarmin.dll component and regularly audit browser plugin installations to identify and remove outdated or vulnerable ActiveX controls that may present similar security risks.