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Macrovision InstallShield InstallScript One-Click Install Untrusted Library Loading Vulnerability


I. BACKGROUND

Macrovision InstallShield InstallScript One-Click Install (OCI) is a web based installer technology that allows software publishers to distribute minimal installer packages which allow end users to select components to install. Upon first visiting such a website, the user is prompted to install the ActiveX control. More information can be found on the vendor's site at the following URL.

http://www.macrovision.com/products/installation/installshield.htm

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of an untrusted library loading vulnerability in Macrovision's InstallShield InstallScript One-Click Install ActiveX control allows remote attackers to execute code with the privileges of the currently logged in user.

InstallShield InstallScript "One-Click Install" is implemented in an ActiveX control with the following properties:

  File: %WINDIR%\Downloaded Program Files\setup.exe
  CLSID: 53D40FAA-4E21-459f-AA87-E4D97FC3245A

This control is marked "safe for scripting".

When a user visits a website from which a web install can be performed, the ActiveX control downloads and loads several DLL files from the remote website. Since no sanity checks are performed on the DLL files, an attacker can substitute specially crafted libraries that will execute arbitrary code when loaded.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. In order for exploitation to occur, users would be required to have a vulnerable version of the ActiveX control installed and be lured to a malicious site.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense confirmed this vulnerability exists in version 12.0 of the Macrovision InstallShield InstallScript One-Click Install ActiveX Control. Previous versions of the control are reported to be vulnerable to variations of this attack. Previous versions are known to use different CLSIDs.

V. WORKAROUND

Administrators can set the kill-bit for the vulnerable ActiveX control with the following .reg file. This will prevent the control from loading within Internet Explorer.

  Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
  
  [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX
Compatibility\{53D40FAA-4E21-459f-AA87-E4D97FC3245A}]
  "Compatibility Flags"=dword:00000400

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

Macrovision has addressed this vulnerability by releasing a hotfix for the following products.

  FLEXnet InstallShield 12 Professional (with InstallShield 12 SP2)
  FLEXnet InstallShield 12 Premier (with InstallShield 12 SP2)

For more information, consult their Knowledge Base article at the following URL.

http://knowledge.macrovision.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=
displayKC&externalId=Q113640

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2007-5661 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

01/08/2007 Initial vendor notification 04/17/2007 Second vendor notification 04/18/2007 Initial vendor response
03/31/2008 Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc.

Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDefense. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please e-mail customer service for permission.

Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.



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