CVE-2009-3735 in ActiveScan
Summary
by MITRE
The ActiveScan Installer ActiveX control in as2stubie.dll before 1.3.3.0 in PandaActiveScan Installer 2.0 in Panda ActiveScan downloads software in an as2guiie.cab archive located at an arbitrary URL, and does not verify the archive's digital signature before installation, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a URL argument to an unspecified method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3735 represents a critical security flaw in the PandaActiveScan Installer 2.0 software suite, specifically within the ActiveScan Installer ActiveX control component. This vulnerability exists in the as2stubie.dll library version prior to 1.3.3.0 and exposes users to significant remote code execution risks through a flaw in the software installation process. The issue stems from the installer's failure to properly validate digital signatures of downloaded components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise systems through carefully crafted installation sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the ActiveX control's improper handling of software download operations within the as2guiie.cab archive. When the installer processes an unspecified method call, it accepts a URL argument that directs the system to download software from an arbitrary location specified by the attacker. This design flaw allows threat actors to manipulate the download source, potentially redirecting the installer to fetch malicious payloads instead of legitimate software updates. The vulnerability specifically occurs because the installer does not perform digital signature verification on the downloaded archive before proceeding with the installation process, which violates fundamental security principles of software integrity verification.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote code execution attacks that can compromise entire systems without user interaction. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious URLs that point to compromised servers hosting malicious cab archives, which then get installed silently on vulnerable systems. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it exploits a legitimate installation mechanism, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.001 for supplying malicious payloads through compromised installation packages. The attack can result in complete system compromise, data theft, and establishment of persistent backdoors within organizational networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected PandaActiveScan Installer components to version 1.3.3.0 or later, which includes proper digital signature verification mechanisms. Organizations should implement network-level controls to block connections to known malicious domains and employ application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized ActiveX control execution. Additionally, security administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running the affected software and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process must also include monitoring for suspicious installation activities and implementing endpoint detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior related to ActiveX control usage. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict outbound connections from potentially compromised systems to prevent lateral movement and data exfiltration attempts.