CVE-2011-1719 in Output Management Web Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the Web Viewer ActiveX controls in CA Output Management Web Viewer 11.0 and 11.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long SRC property value to the PPSViewer ActiveX control in PPSView.ocx before 1.0.0.7 or (2) a long Title property value to the UOMWV_Helper ActiveX control in UOMWV_HelperActiveX.ocx before 11.5.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2011-1719 represents a critical security flaw affecting CA Output Management Web Viewer ActiveX controls, specifically targeting stack-based buffer overflows that enable remote code execution. This vulnerability impacts two distinct ActiveX components within the CA software ecosystem, namely the PPSViewer ActiveX control and the UOMWV_Helper ActiveX control, affecting versions 11.0 and 11.5 of the web viewer application. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within these ActiveX controls, which fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it in memory. The vulnerability manifests when attackers provide maliciously crafted input through specific property values, namely the SRC property for PPSViewer and the Title property for UOMWV_Helper, triggering memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack-based buffer overflow pattern where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated buffer space, overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The PPSViewer control in PPSView.ocx before version 1.0.0.7 and the UOMWV_Helper control in UOMWV_HelperActiveX.ocx before version 11.5.0.1 both suffer from this flaw, with the attack vectors requiring only a single property value to be set to a length sufficient to trigger the overflow condition. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, and CWE-787, out-of-bounds write, both of which are categorized as high-severity issues that can lead to complete system compromise. The attack requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are commonly deployed for document viewing and management purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges on affected systems, potentially escalating from a simple web browser user to a system administrator level attacker. The vulnerability affects organizations using CA Output Management Web Viewer in their document management workflows, particularly those with ActiveX controls enabled in Internet Explorer environments. The widespread deployment of ActiveX controls in enterprise settings means that organizations with legacy systems or those still supporting older browser versions face significant risk. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007, command and scripting interpreter, and T1068, local privilege escalation, as exploitation typically results in unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the affected ActiveX controls to versions 1.0.0.7 and 11.5.0.1 respectively, disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. The recommended approach involves updating the CA Output Management Web Viewer to patched versions, which include proper input validation and buffer size checking mechanisms. Security administrators should also consider disabling ActiveX controls in browser configurations and implementing strict content security policies to prevent exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions and implement monitoring for suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in ActiveX controls and highlights the need for regular security updates in enterprise software environments where legacy components remain in use.