CVE-2012-2990 in KIES
Summary
by MITRE
The MASetupCaller ActiveX control before 1.4.2012.508 in MASetupCaller.dll in MarkAny ContentSAFER, as distributed in Samsung KIES before 2.3.2.12074_13_13, does not properly implement unspecified methods, which allows remote attackers to download an arbitrary program onto a client machine, and execute this program, via a crafted HTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2024
The CVE-2012-2990 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the MarkAny ContentSAFER component of Samsung KIES software, specifically within the MASetupCaller ActiveX control. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.4.2012.508 and affects Samsung KIES installations before version 2.3.2.12074_13_13. The flaw stems from improper implementation of unspecified methods within the ActiveX control, creating a dangerous attack vector that enables remote code execution on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary programs on client machines simply by crafting a malicious HTML document, making it a significant concern for enterprise security and user safety.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the ActiveX control's failure to properly validate or sanitize method calls within the MASetupCaller.dll library. When a user visits a malicious webpage containing specially crafted HTML content, the vulnerable ActiveX control executes unintended functionality that downloads and executes arbitrary programs without proper user consent or security checks. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of privilege separation and input validation, creating an environment where remote attackers can bypass normal security boundaries and gain unauthorized execution capabilities on target systems. The unspecified nature of the vulnerable methods suggests either incomplete implementation or design flaws in the control's security model, which is classified under CWE-691 as inadequate input validation or insufficient control flow management.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents severe risks to users of affected Samsung KIES versions, as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized actions including but not limited to installing malware, stealing sensitive data, or establishing persistent backdoors on compromised systems. The attack requires only a simple HTML document to be viewed in a web browser, making it highly exploitable and difficult to defend against through traditional user education methods alone. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable software remains installed, potentially allowing for long-term compromise of systems. Organizations using Samsung KIES for device management and software updates face particular risk, as this vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to corporate devices or networks through compromised endpoints.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2990 primarily involve immediate software updates and patches provided by Samsung to address the vulnerable ActiveX control implementation. System administrators should ensure that all affected Samsung KIES installations are updated to version 2.3.2.12074_13_13 or later, which includes proper method implementations and security controls. Additionally, security measures should include disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious download activities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of trusted applications and execution through web-based attacks, highlighting the need for layered defenses including browser security controls, network monitoring, and endpoint protection solutions. The vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of proper software supply chain security and the need for thorough code review processes to prevent similar implementation flaws in ActiveX controls and other browser-based components.