CVE-2013-6724 in SPSS SamplePower
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the vsflex8l ActiveX control in IBM SPSS SamplePower 3.0.1 before FP1 IF1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ComboList property value.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6724 resides within the vsflex8l ActiveX control component of IBM SPSS SamplePower 3.0.1 before fix pack 1 interim fix 1. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through manipulation of the ComboList property, demonstrating a classic buffer overflow condition in ActiveX controls that has been widely exploited in enterprise environments. The vsflex8l ActiveX control is designed to provide flexible data display and manipulation capabilities within Microsoft Windows environments, but its implementation contains unsafe memory handling practices that create opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the ComboList property within the ActiveX control, which fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them. When a maliciously crafted ComboList value is provided, the control does not perform adequate bounds checking or input sanitization, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious payloads. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a specific instance of improper input validation in ActiveX components. The flaw exists due to the control's failure to implement proper memory management practices and input validation mechanisms that would prevent arbitrary code execution through property manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using IBM SPSS SamplePower in their analytical workflows, particularly in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are enabled by default or through browser configurations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious web pages or documents that contain the specially crafted ComboList property values, which when processed by the vulnerable ActiveX control, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potential privilege escalation scenarios, as the vulnerability can be exploited through web-based attack vectors that do not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a malicious document.
The exploitation of CVE-2013-6724 aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, particularly targeting the use of ActiveX controls for code execution and lateral movement within networks. Organizations that have not applied the vendor-provided fix for this vulnerability remain at risk of being compromised through drive-by download attacks or spearphishing campaigns that target the specific ActiveX control. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content through web browsing or document attachments. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly in environments where ActiveX controls are still enabled or where legacy applications continue to operate without proper security hardening.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers, applying the vendor's security update for IBM SPSS SamplePower 3.0.1, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected ActiveX components. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and browser security policies can help mitigate the risk while waiting for patches, though the most effective long-term solution involves complete removal of vulnerable ActiveX controls from enterprise environments where they are not absolutely required for business operations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing proper input validation practices in all application components, particularly those that interface with user-provided data through properties or configuration parameters.