CVE-2011-3174 in ZENworks Configuration Management
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the DoFindReplace function in the ISGrid.Grid2.1 ActiveX control in InstallShield/ISGrid2.dll in AdminStudio in Novell ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM) 10.2, 10.3, and 11 SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long bstrReplaceText parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3174 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ISGrid.Grid2.1 ActiveX control component of Novell ZENworks Configuration Management software. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 10.2, 10.3, and 11 SP1 of the AdminStudio application, which is part of the broader ZENworks suite used for enterprise system management and deployment. The flaw resides in the DoFindReplace function of the ISGrid2.dll library, making it exploitable through web-based attack vectors that target ActiveX controls running in Internet Explorer environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote code execution, meaning attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring local access or authentication.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the DoFindReplace function processes the bstrReplaceText parameter, which is a string input used for text replacement operations within the grid control. When an attacker provides a maliciously crafted string that exceeds the allocated buffer size, the function fails to properly validate input length, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting a specially formatted string that triggers the buffer overflow during the text replacement operation, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where ZENworks Configuration Management is deployed. Organizations using these specific versions of AdminStudio face potential compromise of their entire system management infrastructure, as the vulnerability can be exploited through web browsers without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to managed systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system takeover, or lateral movement within the enterprise network. The attack surface is particularly broad since ActiveX controls are commonly enabled in enterprise environments for various management and deployment tasks, making the exploitation of this vulnerability relatively straightforward for threat actors with basic knowledge of ActiveX exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3174 should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by Novell, which would address the buffer overflow condition in the ISGrid.Grid2.1 ActiveX control. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to block access to potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls and consider disabling ActiveX support in web browsers for non-essential applications. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1059, which involves Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on target systems. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls and ensure that all enterprise systems are running patched versions of ZENworks Configuration Management software, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the product and represents a persistent threat to organizations that have not yet applied the necessary security updates.