CVE-2011-0324 in SigPlus Pro ActiveX Control
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in Topaz Systems SigPlus Pro ActiveX Control 3.95, and possibly other versions before 4.29, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) KeyString property, (2) NewPath parameter to the SetLocalIniFilePath method, or (3) NewPortPath parameter to the SetTabletPortPath method.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0324 affects the Topaz Systems SigPlus Pro ActiveX Control version 3.95 and potentially earlier versions up to 4.28, representing a critical security flaw that exposes systems to remote code execution attacks. This ActiveX control is commonly used for digitizer tablet functionality and signature capture in enterprise environments, making it a prime target for exploitation. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within three specific methods of the ActiveX control, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted input parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves three distinct attack vectors that all leverage heap-based buffer overflows. The first vector targets the KeyString property, where a maliciously crafted string input exceeding the allocated buffer size can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The second vector exploits the SetLocalIniFilePath method through the NewPath parameter, while the third vector targets the SetTabletPortPath method via the NewPortPath parameter. All three methods fail to properly validate input lengths before copying data into fixed-size buffers, allowing attackers to overflow these heap allocations and potentially overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses and function pointers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations that deploy the SigPlus Pro ActiveX control in their applications, particularly in web-based environments where ActiveX controls are executed through Internet Explorer. The remote exploitation capability means attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that serve untrusted input. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user or application. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow conditions and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices for input validation and memory management.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios, especially when the affected ActiveX control runs with elevated privileges. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious input parameters that exceed buffer boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to inject shellcode or manipulate program execution flow. Organizations implementing this control in their systems should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their attack surface, particularly in environments where multiple ActiveX controls are deployed. Mitigation strategies include immediate patching to version 4.29 or later, implementing application whitelisting policies, disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all systems that may be exposed to this attack vector. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in ActiveX control development, as outlined in industry standards for secure software development.