CriticalPublic exploit

Stack-based buffer overflow in ActFax Server 4.32 Import Users from File

IdentifiersCVE-2012-10043CWE-121· Stack-based Buffer Overflow

CVE-2012-10043 is a stack-based buffer overflow in ActFax Server version 4.32. The flaw is present in the client interface's "Import Users from File" functionality when parsing tab-delimited .exp files. The application does not properly validate the length of fields before copying them, resulting in unsafe use of strcpy() during parsing. By supplying a crafted .exp file, particularly when imported using the default character set "ECMA-94 / Latin 1 (ISO 8859)", an attacker can trigger memory corruption on the stack and potentially redirect execution flow.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation may allow arbitrary code execution in the context of the vulnerable ActFax Server client process. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system, including execution of attacker-controlled code, installation of malware, data access or modification, and use of the host as a pivot for further intrusion. Because exploitation requires opening and importing a malicious file, the attack is user-assisted rather than purely remote.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Do not import .exp files from untrusted or unauthenticated sources. Restrict access to the "Import Users from File" feature to trusted administrators only. Validate and sanitize imported files before use, including checking field lengths and format compliance. Consider blocking or quarantining externally supplied .exp files, and run the client in a least-privilege environment to reduce post-exploitation impact. User awareness controls are relevant because exploitation requires manual import of a malicious file.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade ActFax Server to a fixed version if a vendor patch or newer release is available. The vulnerable import routine should be corrected to enforce strict bounds checking on tab-delimited field lengths and replace unsafe string-copy operations such as strcpy() with bounded alternatives. If no official fix is available, discontinue use of the vulnerable import functionality or isolate systems running ActFax Server 4.32 until remediation can be applied.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos.

VALID 1 / 1 TOTALView more in app

actfax_import_users_bof.rbMaturityWeaponizedFrameworkmetasploitVerified exploit

This repository contains a single Metasploit module targeting a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CVE-2012-10043) in the 'Import Users from File' feature of ActiveFax (ActFax) Server version 4.32 on Windows XP SP3 and Windows 7 SP1. The exploit works by generating a specially crafted .exp file, which, when imported into the ActFax Server with the default character set, triggers a buffer overflow due to unsafe usage of strcpy. The module uses an egghunter to locate and execute a customizable Metasploit payload (up to 4000 bytes), allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the ActFax service (potentially SYSTEM). The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to convince an administrator to import the malicious file. The only fingerprintable endpoint is the generated .exp file. The code is written in Ruby and is structured as a standard Metasploit exploit module.

Disclosed Aug 28, 2012rubylocal

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

ActfaxActfaxapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

4 sources tracked across advisories and community write-ups. News coverage will land here when it surfaces.

4 SOURCESView more in app

No news coverage yet. Advisories and community discussion only.

What this page doesn’t show

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity4

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.

EXTERNAL REFERENCES

MITRE CVE

cve.org · CVE-2012-10043

NVD

nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-10043

MITRE CWE · CWE-121

Stack-based Buffer Overflow

raw.githubusercontent.com

raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/windows/fileformat/actfax_import_users_bof.rb

web.archive.org

web.archive.org/web/20130712072809/http://www.pwnag3.com/2012/08/actfax-local-privilege-escalation.html

actfax.com

exploit-db.com

exploit-db.com/exploits/20915

vulncheck.com

vulncheck.com/advisories/actfax-client-importer-buffer-overflow

Stack-based buffer overflow in ActFax Server 4.32 Import Users from File

IdentifiersCVE-2012-10043CWE-121· Stack-based Buffer Overflow