CVE-2015-5423 in KeyView
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in HP KeyView before 10.23.0.1 and 10.24.x before 10.24.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors, aka ZDI-CAN-2884.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5423 represents a critical security flaw within HP KeyView software versions prior to specific patch releases. This unspecified vulnerability creates a potential remote code execution vector that could be exploited by malicious actors without requiring authentication or prior access to the target system. The issue was catalogued under the ZDI-CAN-2884 identifier, indicating it was discovered through the Zero Day Initiative's vulnerability disclosure program which focuses on identifying and reporting newly discovered security flaws before they become widely known.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from an unspecified flaw within the KeyView application's processing mechanisms that handles various file formats and data types. HP KeyView is a document viewing and processing application that supports multiple document formats including office documents, images, and other file types commonly encountered in enterprise environments. The vulnerability likely resides in how the application parses or processes certain input data streams, potentially involving buffer overflows, memory corruption issues, or improper validation of file content. Such flaws typically occur when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious inputs that trigger unexpected behavior in the software's execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems with the privileges of the running KeyView process. This represents a significant escalation risk since KeyView applications often run with elevated privileges in enterprise environments, particularly when processing documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability could be leveraged in phishing campaigns, targeted attacks against specific organizations, or as part of broader exploitation chains where initial access is gained through other means. Attackers could potentially deploy malware, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further network infiltration activities, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in corporate network environments where document processing applications are frequently used.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of HP's official patches and updates for KeyView versions 10.23.0.1 and 10.24.0.1. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation, while monitoring network traffic for signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to exploitation of remote services and execution through compromised applications. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software and maintain comprehensive monitoring of system processes to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against zero-day exploits that target widely used enterprise applications.