CVE-2011-0323 in SigPlus Pro ActiveX Control
Summary
by MITRE
Topaz Systems SigPlus Pro ActiveX Control 3.95, and possibly other versions before 4.29, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by calling the exposed unsafe (1) SetLogFilePath and (2) SigMessage methods to create arbitrary files with arbitrary content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0323 affects the Topaz Systems SigPlus Pro ActiveX Control version 3.95 and potentially earlier versions up to 4.28. This ActiveX control is commonly used for signature capture and digital signature processing in Windows environments, particularly within web applications and enterprise systems that require electronic signature validation. The flaw resides in the control's exposed methods that lack proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, creating a dangerous attack surface for remote exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the unsafe handling of user-supplied input through the SetLogFilePath and SigMessage methods. These methods are designed to allow configuration of logging paths and message handling respectively, but they fail to properly validate or sanitize the parameters passed to them. When an attacker can influence the parameters of these methods, they can manipulate the file system operations to create arbitrary files at arbitrary locations with arbitrary content. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference combined with insufficient input validation, allowing for arbitrary file creation and potential code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote code execution attacks against systems running affected versions of the SigPlus Pro ActiveX control. Attackers can leverage this flaw to write malicious files to the system, potentially including executable code, configuration files, or other payloads that could compromise the entire system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are often deployed with elevated privileges, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component) in the CWE taxonomy, representing multiple security weaknesses that compound to create a remote code execution vector.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites as it can be triggered through web-based attacks targeting systems with the vulnerable ActiveX control installed. The attack surface is broad since ActiveX controls are commonly used in business applications, web portals, and internal systems where signature capture functionality is required. Organizations running affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, applying the vendor-provided patches, or removing the control from systems where it is not essential. The remediation strategy should also include comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code. This vulnerability demonstrates the persistent security risks associated with ActiveX controls in enterprise environments and underscores the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving "Exploitation for Execution" under the execution phase, with potential lateral movement capabilities once initial access is achieved through the arbitrary file creation and execution functionality.