CVE-2005-1185 in jukebox
Summary
by MITRE
unquoted windows search path vulnerability in musicmatch jukebox 10.00.2047 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges via a malicious c:\program.exe file which is run by mmfwlaunch.exe when it attempts to execute launch.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1185 represents a classic unquoted search path weakness that existed in the Musicmatch Jukebox software version 10.00.2047 and earlier. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of path traversal and privilege escalation issues that have been documented in numerous security frameworks including CWE-428. The flaw specifically manifests when the mmfwlaunch.exe process attempts to execute launch.exe, creating an opportunity for local attackers to place malicious executables in strategic locations within the file system hierarchy.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the improper handling of executable paths by the affected software. When mmfwlaunch.exe searches for launch.exe, it does not properly quote the search path, allowing the Windows operating system to perform a search through multiple directories in the PATH environment variable. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to place a malicious program named program.exe in the C:\ directory, which would be executed before the legitimate program.exe located in the Musicmatch installation directory. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates a clear path for privilege escalation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to achieve elevated privileges on the system, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the Musicmatch Jukebox application. The attack vector is relatively straightforward and does not require network access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local access is possible. This type of vulnerability has been consistently categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a privilege escalation technique, specifically related to the use of unquoted service paths and path manipulation.
The exploitation process involves placing a malicious executable in the C:\ directory, which then gets executed when mmfwlaunch.exe attempts to launch the legitimate program. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for various malicious activities including data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's persistence is enhanced by the fact that it affects the software's launch process, which typically runs with elevated privileges. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability type has been extensively documented in various security advisories and represents a common misconfiguration pattern that affects numerous Windows applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on proper path quoting and privilege management. Organizations should ensure that all executable paths are properly quoted to prevent unintended directory traversal. The recommended approach involves updating to the latest version of Musicmatch Jukebox where this issue has been resolved, or applying the appropriate security patches provided by the vendor. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls and privilege separation to minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar path traversal issues in software applications.