CVE-2010-0688 in Orbital Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Orbital Viewer 1.04 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) .orb or (2) .ov file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0688 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in Orbital Viewer version 1.04, a media playback application designed for handling specific orbital data formats. This vulnerability manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the application's file parsing routines, specifically when processing malformed .orb and .ov file extensions. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data during file interpretation, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered remotely through crafted malicious files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the Orbital Viewer's file parsing code, which fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data streams. When the application encounters a specially crafted .orb or .ov file containing oversized data sequences, the parsing routine attempts to write data beyond the allocated stack buffer boundaries. This overflow condition corrupts adjacent memory locations including return addresses and program control structures, enabling attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which directly maps to the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation scenarios, as it enables remote code execution through user-assisted attacks. An attacker can craft malicious files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user with Orbital Viewer installed, will trigger the buffer overflow condition. This creates a significant threat vector for social engineering campaigns targeting users who might encounter such files in email attachments, file sharing environments, or web downloads. The vulnerability affects systems running Orbital Viewer 1.04 and potentially earlier versions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where legacy software may persist. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, establish persistence, or exfiltrate sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0688 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from the vendor, though given the age of this vulnerability, support may no longer be available. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable applications, employ application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted files, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of Orbital Viewer installations within their environment and ensure proper file validation controls are implemented. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted files, particularly those with .orb or .ov extensions, as these files are not commonly encountered in typical computing environments. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against such legacy vulnerabilities that may remain unpatched in older systems.