CVE-2012-0188 in SPSS Dimensions
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the SetLicenseInfoEx method in an ActiveX control in mraboutb.dll in IBM SPSS Dimensions 5.5 and SPSS Data Collection 5.6, 6.0, and 6.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0188 represents a critical security flaw within IBM SPSS Dimensions and SPSS Data Collection software products, specifically targeting an ActiveX control component. This vulnerability exists within the mraboutb.dll file and affects versions 5.5 and 5.6 of SPSS Dimensions, along with versions 5.6, 6.0, and 6.0.1 of SPSS Data Collection. The flaw manifests in the SetLicenseInfoEx method of the ActiveX control, which is designed to handle license information processing but contains a critical implementation weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of a crafted HTML document that triggers the vulnerable ActiveX control when processed by a web browser. When an unsuspecting user visits a malicious website or opens a compromised email attachment containing such HTML content, the ActiveX control automatically executes the SetLicenseInfoEx method with malicious parameters. This method fails to properly validate input parameters, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable software. The vulnerability falls under the category of code injection flaws and represents a classic example of unsafe parameter handling within ActiveX components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within corporate environments where SPSS software is deployed. Organizations using these versions of SPSS software face significant risk of unauthorized code execution, data exfiltration, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where SPSS is commonly used for statistical analysis and data collection, as it can be leveraged to gain access to sensitive analytical data and potentially escalate privileges to administrative levels. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how ActiveX-based attacks can be used for lateral movement and privilege escalation within networks.
The root cause of this vulnerability can be traced to inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the ActiveX control implementation. This flaw represents a CWE-77 vulnerability classification, specifically related to improper neutralization of special elements used in a command or query, which is a common pattern in ActiveX control exploitation. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, applying available patches from IBM, and implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in ActiveX component development, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of legacy software components that continue to be deployed in enterprise environments.