Akamai Download Manager ActiveX Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

iDefense Security Advisory 04.16.07
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Apr 16, 2007

I. BACKGROUND

Akamai Technologies, Inc's provides distributed computing platform for
global Internet content caching and application delivery. Akamai
Download Manager is a component of Akamai's service. For more
information please visit following websites.

http://www.akamai.com/html/technology/products/http_downloads.html
http://www.akamai.com/html/solutions/electronic_software_delivery.html

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in Akamai
Technologies, Inc's Download Manager ActiveX Control could allow an
attacker to execute arbitrary code within the security context of the
targeted user.

The ActiveX control in question has the following identifiers:

  Class: DownloadManager Control
  CLSID: 2AF5BD25-90C5-4EEC-88C5-B44DC2905D8B
  ProgId: MANAGER.DLMCtrl.1.
  File: C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files\DownloadManagerV2.ocx

The vulnerability specifically exists due to incorrect use of the
GetPrivateProfileSectionW function. The nSize parameter is incorrectly
passed the total number of bytes available, rather than the number of
wide characters available. This leads to an exploitable stack-based
buffer overflow.

III. ANALYSIS

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability would allow a remote
attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the targeted
user.

In order to exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to
persuade the victim into viewing a malicious web site. This is usually
accomplished by getting the victim into clicking a link in a form of
electronic communication such as e-mail or instant messaging.
Additionally, the victim must either accept and install, or already
have the download manager control on their system.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability within
version 2.2.0.5 of Akamai Technologies Inc's DownloadManagerV2.ocx. All
older versions are suspected to be vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Setting the kill-bit for this control will prevent it from being loaded
within Internet Explorer. However, doing so will prevent legitimate use
of the control.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

"Affected users can upgrade to the latest version of Akamai Download
Manager by visiting the following web page:

http://dlm.tools.akamai.com/tools/upgrade.html

Visiting that page or any other Download Manager enabled page will
prompt the user to install the latest version of the software
automatically. Akamai has successfully coordinated with each of our
enterprise customers to ensure that all are distributing the patched
version."

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2007-1891 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

04/03/2007  Initial vendor notification
04/03/2007  Initial vendor response
04/16/2007  Coordinated public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by McSlibin.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2007 iDefense, Inc.

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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
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indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or
reliance on, this information.