CVE-2015-4647 in Security API ActiveX SDK
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Ipropsapi in Panasonic Security API (PS-API) ActiveX SDK before 8.10.18 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in the (1) FilePassword property or to the (2) GetStringInfo method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4647 represents a critical security flaw within Panasonic Security API (PS-API) ActiveX SDK version 8.10.17 and earlier. This vulnerability manifests as multiple stack-based buffer overflows that occur in the Ipropsapi component, specifically affecting the FilePassword property and GetStringInfo method. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, posing a significant risk to network security infrastructure. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the ActiveX control's implementation, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The flaw occurs when the Ipropsapi component processes user-supplied input through the FilePassword property or GetStringInfo method without proper validation of input length. When attackers provide excessively long strings that exceed the allocated buffer space, the overflow can overwrite critical stack data including return addresses, function pointers, and local variables. This memory corruption can be systematically exploited to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition through network-based interactions without requiring physical access to the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to security infrastructure components that rely on Panasonic PS-API for video surveillance and security management. Organizations using affected versions of Panasonic security systems face significant risks including unauthorized access to surveillance footage, potential system takeover, and disruption of critical security operations. The vulnerability affects enterprise security deployments where ActiveX controls are enabled, particularly in environments where legacy systems maintain compatibility with older security protocols. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive security data and potentially escalate privileges within the network, making it a particularly dangerous flaw for organizations that depend on Panasonic security solutions for perimeter defense and internal monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4647 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to Panasonic PS-API ActiveX SDK version 8.10.18 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions. Network administrators should implement strict input validation policies and consider disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, particularly in environments where they are not required for legitimate business operations. The mitigation approach should also include monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential lateral movement of attackers who might successfully exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit known buffer overflow patterns and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing ActiveX-based vulnerabilities in security infrastructure components.