CVE-2016-1176 in EVA Animeter
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the ActiveX control in Sharp EVA Animeter allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1176 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ActiveX control component of Sharp EVA Animeter software. This specific weakness resides in the handling of user-supplied data within the ActiveX control interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trusted ActiveX control mechanism to deliver malicious payloads, exploiting the inherent trust model of web browsers when interacting with ActiveX components. The flaw manifests when a crafted web page containing malicious input is loaded in a browser environment that has the vulnerable Sharp EVA Animeter ActiveX control installed, allowing attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and execute code with the privileges of the affected user.
This buffer overflow vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the program's stack. The technical implementation of this flaw involves the ActiveX control's failure to properly validate input parameters before processing them, enabling attackers to overflow the allocated buffer space and overwrite critical program memory. The control's design does not implement adequate input sanitization or bounds checking mechanisms, making it susceptible to memory corruption attacks that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw because attackers can exploit it through web-based attacks without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1176 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. Once successful, the vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are directed to malicious websites containing specially crafted HTML content that triggers the vulnerable ActiveX control. The vulnerability affects systems running the Sharp EVA Animeter software with the specific ActiveX control installed, creating a significant risk for organizations that have not updated their systems or removed the vulnerable components. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited silently in the background, with no immediate user notification, allowing attackers to establish backdoors or deploy additional malware.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1176 should focus on immediate removal or disabling of the vulnerable ActiveX control components, as the most effective defense against this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement browser security policies that restrict ActiveX control usage and disable the control entirely in web browsers where it is not essential for business operations. The remediation approach should include comprehensive system inventory to identify all installations of Sharp EVA Animeter and subsequent removal of the vulnerable ActiveX control from affected systems. Security configurations should enforce strict browser security settings that prevent automatic execution of ActiveX controls and require explicit user consent for control activation. Additionally, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious ActiveX-related traffic patterns, and regular security assessments should verify that vulnerable components have been properly removed. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in legacy software components, as this flaw represents a classic example of how outdated ActiveX controls can create persistent security risks in enterprise environments.