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. Get paid for vulnerability research http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com/ X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright © 2007 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 customerservice@idefense.com 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.