CVE-2010-1908 in Dynamic Agent
Summary
by MITRE
The SdcUser.TgConCtl ActiveX control in tgctlcm.dll in Consona Live Assistance, Dynamic Agent, and Subscriber Assistance does not properly restrict access to the HTTPDownloadFile, HTTPGetFile, Install, and RunCmd methods, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary programs via a URL in the url argument to (1) HTTPDownloadFile or (2) HTTPGetFile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1908 represents a critical security flaw within the SdcUser.TgConCtl ActiveX control distributed by Consona Live Assistance, Dynamic Agent, and Subscriber Assistance products. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the tgctlcm.dll library, which exposes several dangerous methods to remote exploitation. The affected methods include HTTPDownloadFile, HTTPGetFile, Install, and RunCmd, all of which can be manipulated through maliciously crafted URL arguments to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability exists at the core of ActiveX component design where proper privilege restrictions are not enforced, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass security boundaries and gain unauthorized execution capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the url argument parameter in the vulnerable methods. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it to either HTTPDownloadFile or HTTPGetFile, the ActiveX control fails to validate the input properly, allowing the system to download and execute arbitrary files from remote servers. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of input sanitization and access control, as defined by CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation, which is classified as a common weakness in software design that leads to various injection attacks. The vulnerability creates a direct execution path where untrusted input directly translates to system command execution, effectively allowing remote code execution without proper authentication or authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to download malware, backdoors, or other malicious payloads directly onto victim systems, potentially leading to persistent access, data exfiltration, or use as a foothold for further attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are enabled in web browsers, making it a significant concern for organizations that have not properly secured their browser configurations or updated their software components. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, making it difficult to detect and prevent without proper security controls in place.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1908 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementing browser security controls to prevent ActiveX execution. Organizations should disable ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, implement proper network segmentation to limit the impact of successful exploitation, and establish monitoring for suspicious download activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which describes methods used to exploit vulnerabilities in externally accessible applications. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted ActiveX components, and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls that may present similar risks. Additionally, the incident highlights the importance of proper privilege separation and input validation practices that align with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for preventing injection attacks and privilege escalation scenarios.