CVE-2014-9418 in eSpace Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
The eSpace Meeting ActiveX control (eSpaceStatusCtrl.dll) in Huawei eSpace Desktop before V200R001C03 allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory overflow) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2025
The CVE-2014-9418 vulnerability affects the eSpace Meeting ActiveX control component within Huawei eSpace Desktop software versions prior to V200R001C03. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that exists within the ActiveX control implementation, specifically the eSpaceStatusCtrl.dll module that handles meeting status notifications and communications. The issue manifests as a memory overflow condition that can be exploited by local attackers to disrupt system operations and potentially compromise the overall security posture of affected systems.
The technical flaw within the eSpaceStatusCtrl.dll ActiveX control stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices during the processing of user-supplied data. When local users interact with the vulnerable control through maliciously crafted inputs or by manipulating the control's parameters, the software fails to properly handle memory allocation and data processing, leading to buffer overflow conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as local attackers can leverage the memory overflow to disrupt critical communication services within the Huawei eSpace Desktop environment. The affected system may experience complete service interruption, application crashes, or even system reboot cycles that prevent legitimate users from accessing meeting functionalities. Additionally, the vulnerability creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation attacks, as local users who can manipulate the ActiveX control may gain elevated privileges or access to sensitive system resources.
The security implications of CVE-2014-9418 align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may exploit the vulnerable control to execute malicious code or manipulate system processes. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1489 for denial of service, as the primary exploitation method results in system service disruption. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive patch management strategies to address this vulnerability, as the affected ActiveX control is typically deployed in enterprise environments where local user access is common. The vulnerability's local nature means that exploitation requires physical or network access to the target system, but once exploited, the impact can be significant for business continuity and communication services.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Huawei's security patches for eSpace Desktop V200R001C03 and subsequent versions, disabling or removing the vulnerable ActiveX control from affected systems, and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized ActiveX control execution. Network segmentation and user access controls should be enforced to limit local user privileges, while system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual memory consumption patterns or application crash events that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for system administrators should emphasize the importance of timely patch deployment and the risks associated with local privilege escalation vulnerabilities in enterprise communication platforms.