CVE-2006-0229 in Wehntrust
Summary
by MITRE
Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Wehntrust might allow local users to gain privileges via a malicious "program.exe" file in the C: folder, which is run when Wehntrust creates the autostart key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0229 represents a critical unquoted search path weakness within the Wehntrust software implementation on Windows operating systems. This flaw stems from improper handling of executable paths during the autostart process, creating a privilege escalation vector that malicious actors can exploit. The vulnerability specifically manifests when Wehntrust creates an autostart key in the Windows registry, but fails to properly quote the executable path, allowing the system to search through directory paths without proper encapsulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted malicious executable file named "program.exe" placed in the root C: directory. When Wehntrust attempts to execute its autostart component, the Windows operating system follows the search path logic where it looks for executables in the specified directories. Without proper quoting of the path, Windows will first check the root C: directory for "program.exe" before proceeding through the full path, making it possible for an attacker to place a malicious binary in this location. This behavior aligns with the common security principle where unquoted paths in Windows systems are vulnerable to directory traversal attacks, as documented in CWE-840.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and persistent access. Local users who can write to the C: directory gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Wehntrust application, which typically runs with elevated permissions. This creates a significant threat vector where attackers can establish backdoors, escalate privileges, or perform further exploitation within the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level and can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or complex attack chains, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks in enterprise environments.
The exploitation of CVE-2006-0229 aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through abuse of environment variables and execution through registry modification. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper path quoting in Windows applications and highlights the broader category of search path vulnerabilities that have been consistently exploited across various software platforms. Organizations should implement strict access controls on system directories and ensure that all executable paths are properly quoted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. The remediation involves updating Wehntrust software to versions that properly quote executable paths during autostart key creation, while also implementing the principle of least privilege for system directories and regular security audits of registry entries to identify and correct similar unquoted path configurations.