CVE-2012-0189 in SPSS SamplePower
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the (1) PrintFile and (2) SaveDoc methods in the VsVIEW6 ActiveX control in VsVIEW6.ocx in IBM SPSS SamplePower 3.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0189 affects IBM SPSS SamplePower 3.0 through its VsVIEW6 ActiveX control component. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through specifically crafted HTML documents. The vulnerability manifests in two distinct methods within the ActiveX control: PrintFile and SaveDoc, both of which are susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors. The VsVIEW6.ocx file serves as the primary attack surface, allowing attackers to leverage these methods to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling within the ActiveX control's methods. When processing HTML documents containing malicious payloads, the PrintFile and SaveDoc methods fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data, creating opportunities for code injection attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited context, and CWE-74, which covers injection flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistent system compromise. Attackers can craft HTML documents that trigger the vulnerable methods when opened in Internet Explorer or other browsers that support ActiveX controls, effectively bypassing standard security measures. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where SPSS SamplePower is deployed, as it provides an attack vector that can be exploited through email attachments, web-based attacks, or compromised websites. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making the vulnerability especially dangerous in networked environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0189 should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by IBM. Organizations should disable ActiveX controls in web browsers or implement strict security policies that prevent automatic execution of ActiveX content. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that users cannot execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of SPSS SamplePower. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should monitor for suspicious activities related to ActiveX control usage. Additionally, security awareness training should educate users about the dangers of opening untrusted HTML documents that may contain malicious ActiveX content. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on techniques related to exploitation and privilege escalation.