CVE-2009-1064 in Orbit Downloader
Summary
by MITRE
Argument injection vulnerability in orbitmxt.dll 2.1.0.2 in the Orbit Downloader 2.8.7 and earlier ActiveX control allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via whitespace and a command-line switch, followed by a full pathname, in the third argument to the download method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1064 represents a critical argument injection flaw within the Orbit Downloader ActiveX control component orbitmxt.dll version 2.1.0.2. This vulnerability exists in Orbit Downloader versions 2.8.7 and earlier, where the download method fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate file system operations through carefully crafted malicious inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the ActiveX control's download method interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting a malicious third argument that contains whitespace characters followed by a command-line switch and subsequently a full file path. This specific construction allows the attacker to inject additional commands or parameters that bypass normal validation mechanisms, effectively enabling arbitrary file overwrite operations on the target system. The vulnerability operates at the command-line level where the ActiveX control processes user input without adequate sanitization, creating a path traversal and command injection scenario.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to overwrite arbitrary files on the victim's system with elevated privileges. This can result in the replacement of critical system files, installation of malicious software, or complete system compromise through privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates through an ActiveX control, which is often trusted by browsers and operating systems, making exploitation more likely to succeed without user intervention. Additionally, the remote nature of the attack means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring local system access.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories from the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing command injection flaws that occur when untrusted data is used to construct command strings without proper validation or sanitization. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1070.004 for file and directory permissions modification. The attack chain typically involves initial exploitation through a malicious website or email attachment containing the vulnerable ActiveX control, followed by successful injection of malicious commands that overwrite system files or install backdoors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation involves updating to a patched version of Orbit Downloader that properly validates and sanitizes all input parameters passed to the download method. Organizations should also implement ActiveX control restrictions through browser security settings or group policy configurations to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious ActiveX components. Network-level protections including firewall rules that block access to known malicious domains and intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious command-line patterns can provide additional layers of defense. Security awareness training for end users regarding the dangers of downloading software from untrusted sources and the risks associated with ActiveX controls remains crucial for comprehensive protection against this type of attack vector.