CVE-2012-5947 in SPSS SamplePower
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the vsflex7l ActiveX control in IBM SPSS SamplePower 3.0 before FP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5947 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the vsflex7l ActiveX control component of IBM SPSS SamplePower 3.0 before Fix Pack 1. This particular vulnerability resides in the ActiveX control architecture which is commonly used for embedding interactive components within web browsers and desktop applications. The vsflex7l control is designed to provide flexible data display and manipulation capabilities within the SPSS SamplePower statistical analysis environment, making it a critical component for researchers and data analysts working with complex statistical modeling. The buffer overflow vulnerability specifically affects how the ActiveX control handles input data, creating a potential execution path for malicious code injection through carefully crafted input parameters that exceed the allocated buffer space.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the vsflex7l ActiveX control implementation, which fails to validate the size of input data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability can be triggered through multiple attack surfaces including web-based exploitation, file-based attacks, or potentially through social engineering techniques that trick users into interacting with malicious content. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader family of buffer overflow vulnerabilities that manipulate stack memory allocation patterns. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, as they can leverage web browsers or other attack vectors to deliver malicious payloads that trigger the buffer overflow condition.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5947 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access for attackers. Organizations utilizing IBM SPSS SamplePower 3.0 before FP1 are particularly vulnerable since the control is often deployed in research environments where users may encounter untrusted web content or receive malicious files through email attachments. The ActiveX control architecture creates a persistent attack surface within Internet Explorer environments, where the control is automatically executed when users visit compromised websites or open malicious documents. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, install backdoors, or establish persistent command and control channels. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an exploitation of a publicly available application component that can be targeted over the network. Organizations running this vulnerable software may experience unauthorized data access, system compromise, and potential data exfiltration through the established attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5947 should focus on immediate software updates and administrative controls to reduce attack surface exposure. The most effective remediation approach involves applying IBM's official fix pack 1 for SPSS SamplePower 3.0, which includes patches specifically addressing the buffer overflow condition in the vsflex7l ActiveX control. System administrators should also implement browser security controls including disabling ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer or configuring security zones to restrict ActiveX execution. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts through monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns associated with buffer overflow attacks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable software across their infrastructure and implement proper software lifecycle management practices to ensure timely patch deployment. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of application whitelisting and least privilege principles, where ActiveX controls should only be enabled for trusted applications and users with legitimate business requirements. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate successful exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory corruption indicators and unexpected process execution patterns.