CVE-2016-4402 in KeyView
Summary
by MITRE
A security vulnerability was identified in the Filter SDK component of HP KeyView earlier than v11.2. The vulnerability could be exploited remotely to allow code execution via buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4402 affects the Filter SDK component of HP KeyView software versions prior to v11.2. This represents a critical security flaw that exists within a component designed to process and filter various file formats, making it a potential target for remote exploitation. The Filter SDK serves as a foundational element for handling multiple document types and file processing operations within the HP KeyView ecosystem, which significantly expands the attack surface when considering the wide range of file formats it supports.
The technical flaw manifests as a buffer overflow vulnerability within the Filter SDK implementation, specifically within the handling of input data during file processing operations. This buffer overflow occurs when the system fails to properly validate or limit the size of data being processed, allowing an attacker to supply malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms in the code, which is classified as a CWE-121 buffer overflow condition where insufficient space is allocated for data storage. The flaw allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the running process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a severe threat to system integrity and data confidentiality. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on systems running affected versions of HP KeyView, potentially gaining full control over the affected systems. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access or local credentials to compromise systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such software may be deployed across multiple systems. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing mechanisms where HP KeyView is configured to automatically process files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4402 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to upgrade to HP KeyView v11.2 or later versions where the buffer overflow vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running HP KeyView to only necessary users and processes. The implementation of input validation measures and boundary checking within applications that interface with the Filter SDK can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities within the software supply chain. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of exploitation opportunities present in such buffer overflow conditions.