CVE-2010-1795 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Apple iTunes before 9.1, when running on Windows 7, Vista, and XP, allows local users and possibly remote attackers to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1795 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting Apple iTunes versions prior to 9.1 on Windows operating systems including Windows 7, Vista, and XP. This weakness stems from iTunes' improper handling of dynamic link library loading mechanisms, creating opportunities for privilege escalation attacks through malicious code injection. The vulnerability manifests when iTunes executes with elevated privileges and attempts to load required DLL components without proper validation of the library search path. Attackers can exploit this by placing a malicious DLL file with the same name as a legitimate iTunes dependency in the current working directory, causing iTunes to load and execute the malicious code instead of the intended legitimate library.
This security flaw aligns with CWE-427, which specifically addresses uncontrolled search path dependencies, and demonstrates how improper library loading practices can create privilege escalation vectors. The vulnerability operates under the principle that applications should validate and sanitize all library search paths to prevent attackers from manipulating the dynamic linking process. When iTunes runs with elevated privileges, the impact of this flaw becomes particularly severe as it can allow local users to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the iTunes process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack vector can be either local, where an attacker has access to the target system, or potentially remote if iTunes can be induced to load malicious libraries through network-based attacks or social engineering.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1795 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to bypass standard security controls and execute malicious payloads with elevated system privileges. This vulnerability particularly affects Windows environments where iTunes is commonly installed, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until the software is properly updated. The attack requires minimal sophistication, as it relies on the predictable behavior of Windows library loading mechanisms rather than complex exploitation techniques. System administrators and security professionals must consider this vulnerability within the broader context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the privilege escalation techniques category, where adversaries leverage application flaws to gain elevated access rights.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate software updates to iTunes version 9.1 or later, which addresses the untrusted search path issue through proper library loading validation. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict file permissions and access controls to limit write access to iTunes installation directories, while monitoring for unauthorized DLL placement in system directories. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing application whitelisting policies and using tools such as Microsoft's Application Control policies to restrict which DLLs can be loaded by iTunes. Regular security audits should verify that iTunes and other applications follow secure coding practices for library loading, particularly in environments where applications execute with elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider network-based monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.