CVE-2009-0465 in All In The Box.ocx
Summary
by MITRE
The SaveDoc method in the All_In_The_Box.AllBox ActiveX control in ALL_IN_THE_BOX.OCX in Synactis ALL In-The-Box ActiveX 3 allows remote attackers to create and overwrite arbitrary files via an argument ending in a \0 character, which bypasses the intended .box filename extension, as demonstrated by a C:\boot.ini\0 argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2025
The CVE-2009-0465 vulnerability resides within the All_In_The_Box.ActiveX control version 3 of Synactis ALL In-The-Box software, specifically targeting the SaveDoc method implementation. This ActiveX control operates within Windows environments and provides functionality for handling document operations through a graphical user interface. The vulnerability represents a critical file system manipulation flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary file operations on vulnerable systems. The flaw manifests when the SaveDoc method processes user-supplied arguments without proper validation of filename extensions, creating a path traversal and file creation vulnerability that can be exploited across network boundaries.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the manipulation of filename arguments passed to the SaveDoc method, specifically targeting the control's inadequate input sanitization. When an attacker provides a filename argument ending with a null character , the ActiveX control fails to properly validate or sanitize this input, allowing the bypass of the intended .box file extension restriction. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of string termination sequences and insufficient validation of file path components. The null character termination effectively truncates the filename processing, enabling attackers to specify arbitrary file paths such as C:oot.ini which would otherwise be rejected by normal file system validation routines. This represents a classic buffer over-read and improper input validation vulnerability that aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-787 categories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation, as it enables both file creation and overwriting capabilities with elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical system files, modify configuration files, or inject malicious code into system directories. The demonstrated attack vector using C:oot.ini specifically targets the Windows boot configuration file, which could lead to system compromise or denial of service conditions. This vulnerability affects systems where the ActiveX control is installed and enabled, typically in corporate environments where ActiveX controls are permitted for trusted applications. The remote exploitation capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web browsers or other attack vectors without requiring local system access, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1195 for social engineering and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0465 should prioritize immediate removal or disabling of the vulnerable All_In_The_Box.ActiveX control from affected systems. Organizations must implement strict ActiveX control policies and disable unsigned or untrusted ActiveX components through group policy settings or browser configuration. Network-level protections including firewall rules and web application firewalls should be configured to block access to known vulnerable ActiveX control endpoints. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure proper patching or removal. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper string handling in ActiveX controls, emphasizing the need for secure coding practices that prevent null byte injection attacks. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting solutions and maintaining updated security patches for all ActiveX components can prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.