CVE-2020-7813 in ezHTTPTrans
Summary
by MITRE
Ezhttptrans.ocx ActiveX Control in Kaoni ezHTTPTrans 1.0.0.70 and prior versions contain a vulnerability that could allow remote attacker to download and execute arbitrary file by setting the arguments to the activex method. This can be leveraged for code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7813 resides within the Ezhttptrans.ocx ActiveX control distributed with Kaoni ezHTTPTrans version 1.0.0.70 and earlier. This represents a critical security flaw that fundamentally compromises the integrity of systems running affected software. The ActiveX control, designed to facilitate HTTP transactions, contains a dangerous method that accepts user-supplied arguments without adequate validation or sanitization. When exploited, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the control's behavior to download and execute arbitrary files on vulnerable systems. The flaw essentially creates an attack vector where malicious actors can leverage the legitimate control functionality to perform unauthorized operations, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveX controls are often permitted to execute with elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which describes "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," specifically manifesting in the context of ActiveX controls where method arguments are not properly validated. This weakness allows for command injection scenarios where attacker-controlled input directly influences the execution flow of the control. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of ActiveX method parameters, enabling attackers to specify arbitrary file paths or URLs for download operations. The control's design appears to lack proper input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads through the argument handling routines. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning as it bypasses typical security controls by operating within the trusted context of a legitimate ActiveX component, often executing with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7813 extends beyond simple file execution, creating a comprehensive attack surface that can be leveraged for persistent compromise. Remote attackers can utilize this vulnerability to deploy malware, backdoors, or other malicious payloads that persist across system reboots. The attack requires no authentication or specialized privileges, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise systems at scale. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability can provide attackers with a foothold for further reconnaissance, lateral movement, and data exfiltration activities. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious web pages or phishing emails that automatically trigger the vulnerable ActiveX control when viewed in Internet Explorer or other browsers that support ActiveX. This vulnerability directly maps to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, representing a clear pathway for initial access and execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7813 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The primary recommendation involves immediate patching of the affected Kaoni ezHTTPTrans software to version 1.0.0.71 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the vulnerable ActiveX control. Organizations should also implement browser security measures such as disabling ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer, particularly in enterprise environments where ActiveX remains enabled by default. Network-level controls including firewall rules and web application firewalls can help prevent exploitation attempts by blocking suspicious download patterns or connections to known malicious domains. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable ActiveX controls within their environment and implement strict software restriction policies that prevent unauthorized ActiveX control execution. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface available to malicious actors. Regular security monitoring and endpoint detection capabilities should be enhanced to identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous file download or execution patterns that may indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.