Zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft Active Template Library

Improper initialization
CVE-2009-2493

Vulnerability details

Advisory: SB2009072801 - Remote code execution in Microsoft Windows

Vulnerable component: Microsoft Active Template Library

CVE-ID: CVE-2009-2493

CVSSv3 score: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C

CWE-ID: CWE-665 - Improper Initialization

Description:

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The weakness exists due to improper initialization in the Microsoft Active Template Library (ATL) when handling objects from data streams related to unsafe usage of OleLoadFromStream() function. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted Web site that instantiates a vulnerable component or control using the IE browser, trick the victim into viewing it and execute arbitrary code on the target system with privileges of the current user.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability results in arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system.

Note: the vulnerability was being actively exploited.

External links:

https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/973882
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa09-04.html
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms09-055.aspx
http://www.itsecdb.com/oval/definition/oval/org.mitre.oval/def/6621/ATL-COM-Initialization-Vulnerabi...
http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/?p=52

About zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerability is an undisclosed vulnerability in software that hackers can exploit to compromise computer programs, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, penetrate networks, etc. We consider vulnerability a zero-day when there is no solution provided from software vendor and the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malicious actors.

Zero-day candidate is a potential zero-day vulnerability in software which might have been used in targeted attacks, however there is no evidence to support this suggestion.