CVE-2010-0108 in Client Security
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the cliproxy.objects.1 ActiveX control in the Symantec Client Proxy (CLIproxy.dll) in Symantec AntiVirus 10.0.x, 10.1.x before MR9, and 10.2.x before MR4; and Symantec Client Security 3.0.x and 3.1.x before MR9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long argument to the SetRemoteComputerName function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0108 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Symantec Client Proxy ActiveX control component. This issue affects multiple versions of Symantec AntiVirus and Symantec Client Security products, specifically targeting the cliproxy.objects.1 ActiveX control that utilizes the CLIproxy.dll library. The flaw manifests when the SetRemoteComputerName function receives an excessively long argument, creating conditions that allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web-based attacks without requiring local system access.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the ActiveX control's function parameters. When the SetRemoteComputerName function processes user-supplied data, it fails to properly bounds-check the argument length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic programming error creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, or other control structures. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. From an operational perspective, this flaw represents a severe privilege escalation vector that can be leveraged to gain full system control of vulnerable endpoints.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0108 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user, typically SYSTEM level access in Windows environments, enabling them to install backdoors, exfiltrate data, or establish persistent access points. The widespread deployment of Symantec AntiVirus and Client Security products across enterprise networks amplifies the potential damage, as a single compromised endpoint can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and T1068 for local privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for security operations teams managing legacy Symantec deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0108 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Symantec products through official updates from the vendor. Organizations should prioritize updating to Symantec AntiVirus 10.1 MR9, 10.2 MR4, or later versions of Symantec Client Security 3.0 MR9 and 3.1 MR9, which contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Alternative mitigations include implementing ActiveX control restrictions through group policies, disabling the problematic ActiveX control entirely in browser environments, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all potentially vulnerable systems and implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and proper input validation practices in preventing remote code execution exploits.