CVE-2011-2591 in Gmax Activex Control
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the Provideo ActiveX controls allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted input fields, as demonstrated by (1) a long strIp argument to the voice method in 2way.dll in the alarm 1.0.3.1 ActiveX control, (2) a network response to AXPlayer.ocx in the GMAXPlayer 2.0.8.2 ActiveX control, the (3) UserName or (4) Password parameter to AXPlayer.ocx in the GMAXPlayer 2.0.8.2 ActiveX control, (5) a long Id parameter to the GetString method in PAxPlayer.ocx in the PAxPlayer 3.0.0.9 ActiveX control, or (6) a long strAdr parameter to the ConnectIPCam method in PAxPlayer.ocx in the PAxPlayer 3.0.0.9 ActiveX control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2591 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple Provideo ActiveX controls that are widely used in video surveillance and multimedia applications. This vulnerability manifests as multiple buffer overflow conditions within ActiveX components that process user input without proper bounds checking, creating opportunities for remote code execution. The affected components include 2way.dll, AXPlayer.ocx, and PAxPlayer.ocx across different versions of Provideo software products, making this a widespread issue affecting various multimedia applications in industrial and commercial settings.
These buffer overflow vulnerabilities occur when the ActiveX controls process input parameters that exceed the allocated memory buffer size, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The specific attack vectors demonstrate how different methods within these components are susceptible to overflow conditions through crafted input parameters. The 2way.dll component is vulnerable when processing a lengthy strIp argument in the voice method, while AXPlayer.ocx in GMAXPlayer exhibits vulnerabilities when handling network responses or authentication parameters. The PAxPlayer.ocx component shows similar weaknesses when processing GetString method parameters with long Id values or ConnectIPCam method parameters with extended strAdr values.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as they enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This creates a significant threat landscape for organizations using Provideo ActiveX controls, particularly in security-critical environments where video surveillance systems are deployed. The vulnerability affects systems where these ActiveX controls are installed and executed, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to surveillance systems, compromise system integrity, and potentially escalate privileges to execute malicious payloads. The nature of ActiveX controls running within web browsers or application environments means that exploitation can occur through web-based attacks without requiring physical access to the target systems.
Security professionals should recognize these vulnerabilities as falling under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The attack patterns align with ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to code execution and system compromise. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, applying vendor patches when available, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in ActiveX development, as well as the need for regular security assessments of third-party components used in critical applications.