CVE-2009-3573 in Captiva PixTools Distributed Imaging
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple insecure method vulnerabilities in the PDIControl.PDI.1 ActiveX control (PDIControl.dll) 2.2.3160.0 in EMC Captiva PixTools Distributed Imaging 2.2 allow remote attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files via the (1) SetLogFileName and (2) WriteToLog methods.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The CVE-2009-3573 vulnerability represents a critical insecure method flaw within the PDIControl.PDI.1 ActiveX control version 2.2.3160.0 distributed as part of EMC Captiva PixTools Distributed Imaging 2.2. This ActiveX control operates within the Windows operating system environment and exposes two distinct methods that can be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate the file system in unauthorized ways. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and inadequate access controls within the control's implementation, creating opportunities for malicious actors to execute arbitrary file operations on compromised systems.
The technical exploitation occurs through two specific methods: SetLogFileName and WriteToLog within the PDIControl.PDI.1 ActiveX control. These methods lack proper sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file paths and names that can result in either creating new files or overwriting existing ones on the target system. The vulnerability manifests when these methods process unvalidated input without proper authorization checks or path validation, enabling attackers to bypass normal file system access controls and potentially write malicious content to critical system locations or overwrite legitimate files with harmful data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation as it creates potential for more severe security consequences. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install malicious software, modify system files, or corrupt existing data, potentially leading to system compromise or denial of service conditions. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and CWE-73 - External Control of File Name or Path, both of which describe the fundamental weakness of inadequate path validation in file operations.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates how ActiveX controls can become attack vectors when they expose methods with insufficient security controls. The attack surface is expanded through the use of ActiveX controls in web browsers, where attackers can craft malicious web pages that automatically invoke these vulnerable methods when users visit compromised sites. This attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1195 - Supply Chain Compromise and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage compromised software components to achieve their objectives. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple systems running the affected software, particularly in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3573 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from EMC, as well as network-level protections such as disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and restricting file system permissions for the affected control. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation and implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file creation or modification activities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in software development, particularly for components that operate with elevated privileges or have direct system access capabilities.