CVE-2012-0190 in SPSS Dimensions
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Render method in the ExportHTML.ocx ActiveX control in ExportHTML.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.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0190 represents a critical security flaw within IBM SPSS Dimensions and SPSS Data Collection software products. This vulnerability exists in the ExportHTML.ocx ActiveX control component, specifically within the Render method of ExportHTML.dll library. The flaw manifests as an unspecified weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers through maliciously crafted HTML documents, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. The affected versions include SPSS Dimensions 5.5 and SPSS Data Collection 5.6, 6.0, and 6.0.1, indicating this vulnerability has persisted across multiple product iterations and represents a long-standing security concern. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of ActiveX control exploitation, which has historically been a significant attack vector in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are frequently deployed for enhanced web functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling within the ExportHTML.ocx ActiveX control's rendering mechanism. When a malicious HTML document is processed by the vulnerable software, the Render method fails to properly sanitize or validate the input data, creating a path for attackers to inject and execute malicious code. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow or injection vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the control's behavior beyond its intended functionality. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Memory Space, as the control fails to properly restrict memory operations during HTML rendering. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in the context of a web page. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication or local system access, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise enterprise systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within enterprise networks. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability could enable attackers to install malware, establish persistence mechanisms, or escalate privileges within the compromised system. The fact that this vulnerability affects widely used statistical analysis and data collection software means that organizations in research, healthcare, financial services, and government sectors may be at risk. The remote exploitation capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as attackers can target systems without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a crafted document. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries leverage publicly accessible applications to gain initial access. The vulnerability also aligns with T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve execution of malicious commands through the compromised ActiveX control.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their systems. The most effective approach involves removing or disabling the vulnerable ExportHTML.ocx ActiveX control from affected systems, particularly in environments where ActiveX controls are not essential for business operations. Patch management should be prioritized, with administrators seeking out and applying official security patches from IBM that address this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to systems running vulnerable software, particularly those exposed to external networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software across their network infrastructure. Security awareness training should be enhanced to educate users about the dangers of opening untrusted HTML documents or visiting malicious websites. The vulnerability's long lifespan across multiple product versions suggests that organizations should also review their software inventory and consider upgrading to newer, supported versions of SPSS software that have addressed this and related security concerns. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious activity related to ActiveX control usage and potential exploitation attempts.