CVE-2010-0107 in Client Security
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in an ActiveX control (SYMLTCOM.dll) in Symantec N360 1.0 and 2.0; Norton Internet Security, AntiVirus, SystemWorks, and Confidential 2006 through 2008; and Symantec Client Security 3.0.x before 3.1 MR9, and 3.1.x before MR9; allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors. NOTE: this is only a vulnerability if the attacker can "masquerade as an authorized site."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
This vulnerability exists within the Symantec N360 1.0 and 2.0 products, as well as various versions of Norton Internet Security, AntiVirus, SystemWorks, and Confidential 2006 through 2008, along with Symantec Client Security 3.0.x before 3.1 MR9 and 3.1.x before MR9. The flaw is embedded in an ActiveX control named SYMLTCOM.dll which represents a critical buffer overflow condition that can be exploited remotely. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the attacker can masquerade as an authorized site, making it a sophisticated attack vector that requires social engineering or network position compromise to achieve successful exploitation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The buffer overflow occurs within the ActiveX control's handling of input data, particularly when processing malformed or oversized data structures that exceed the allocated buffer space. The attack scenario requires the attacker to present malicious content that will be processed by the vulnerable ActiveX control, typically through web browsers or other applications that load the control. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications or browser components to execute arbitrary code or cause system crashes.
The technical impact of this buffer overflow vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. When the vulnerable ActiveX control processes malicious input, the overflow can corrupt adjacent memory regions, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite return addresses or function pointers in the call stack. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including system crashes, application instability, or more critically, the execution of attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage web-based delivery mechanisms such as malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web pages to trigger the buffer overflow without requiring local access to the target system. The specific nature of the vulnerability requires the attacker to have the ability to deliver malicious content that will be processed by the vulnerable ActiveX control, which typically occurs when users visit compromised websites or open malicious documents that contain embedded ActiveX content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on affected Symantec products, as it represents a potential entry point for advanced persistent threats or malware deployment. Organizations using these versions of Symantec security products face increased risk of system compromise, data theft, or service disruption due to the potential for remote code execution. The requirement for attackers to masquerade as authorized sites adds a layer of complexity to the threat model, as it suggests that the vulnerability is more likely to be exploited in targeted attacks rather than broad automated scans. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves social engineering tactics to trick users into executing malicious content. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Symantec product lines indicates a widespread issue that affects various security solutions, potentially creating cascading effects if attackers can leverage one compromised system to attack others within the same network. Organizations must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious content through legitimate business interactions or web browsing activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by Symantec, as well as network-level protections to prevent exploitation attempts. The most effective immediate solution involves updating all affected Symantec products to versions that contain the necessary security fixes, which typically address the buffer overflow conditions in the SYMLTCOM.dll ActiveX control. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of vulnerable systems, particularly those running older versions of Symantec products. Browser security configurations should be hardened to restrict ActiveX control loading and execution, including disabling ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer or configuring security zones to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious content. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious content patterns, deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining vulnerable systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 and its exploitation patterns align with standard security practices for addressing buffer overflow vulnerabilities through input validation, stack protection mechanisms, and regular security updates. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing ActiveX-based vulnerabilities in security software products.