Channel Register

Rogue ActiveX controls menace users

A new class at Vulnerability High

Free whitepaper – Essential archive requirements for eDiscovery

Flaws in ActiveX controls are being increasingly used to run security exploits.

Arbitrary file overwrite and deletion flaws, typically exploited through ActiveX controls, are well on the way to becoming a new class of security flaw, according to net security firm Symantec.

"These vulnerabilities exist particularly because of a registered ActiveX control failing to restrict which domains may load the control for execution. An attack exploiting this vulnerability can lead to arbitrary code execution by a remote attacker," a blog posting by Symantec researcher Parveen Vashishtha warns.

Since May, Symantec has logged 40 vulnerabilities of this type in applications from vendors including VMware, Microsoft Visual Studio, NCTSoft, and HP Photo Digital Imaging. The flaws are easy enough to exploit. The approach also carries additional benefits for hackers.

For example, a malicious payload of a batch file may come enclosed within a signed ActiveX control, which means that user intervention to approve the actions of a malicious payload may not be required. Typical exploitation scenarios include tricking a user into visiting a maliciously-controlled website.

Fortunately, by default, Internet Explorer blocks ActiveX controls. But consumers should be wary about allowing anything except trusted ActiveX controls. Third-party security products can also defend again the threat, which is explained in greater depth in a posting by Symantec here. ®

Free whitepaper – Five essential considerations for Exchange 2007 implementations

Don’t Miss

Pirates ahoy!Sign up, sign up for The Register IT security newsletter

Narrowcasting for the email classes

SunFormer top Sun exec mourns end of a franchise

Watermelons, Elton John, and killing SGI

HTC Touch Diamond 2Win an HTC Touch Diamond2!

Reg Lucky Draw Last call for iPhone botherer promo

thumbs down teaser 75Disties braced for autumn reseller collapses

Is that why they call it fall?