CVE-2010-2368 in Lhaplus
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Lhaplus before 1.58 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2368 represents a classic untrusted search path issue affecting Lhaplus software versions prior to 158. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which occurs when an application searches for dynamic libraries or executables in directories that could be manipulated by unprivileged users. The specific flaw in Lhaplus stems from its improper handling of dynamic library loading mechanisms where the application fails to explicitly specify full paths for required DLLs, instead relying on the system's default search order. This behavior creates a window of opportunity for privilege escalation attacks by allowing local users to place malicious DLL files in the current working directory from which the application executes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the Windows dynamic link library loading mechanism where the system searches for required DLLs in a specific order including the current working directory before examining system directories. When Lhaplus executes and encounters a required DLL, it will first search the current working directory for the library file, and if a malicious DLL with the same name exists there, it will load and execute the attacker-controlled code instead of the legitimate system library. This vulnerability specifically affects local users who can manipulate the working directory and place a Trojan horse DLL file, potentially gaining elevated privileges if the application runs with higher privileges than the attacker's current session. The privilege escalation occurs because the malicious DLL executes within the security context of the target application, which may have administrative or system-level permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2368 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors within compromised systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted application, which may include elevated system rights or access to sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Lhaplus might be running with administrative privileges or access to critical system resources. The attack requires minimal prerequisites - simply placing a malicious DLL in the working directory where the application executes, making it a relatively low-effort but high-impact vulnerability. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables attackers to execute code with elevated privileges through the exploitation of library loading mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2368 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves updating Lhaplus to version 158 or later where the untrusted search path vulnerability has been addressed through proper DLL loading mechanisms that explicitly specify full paths for all required libraries. System administrators should also implement the principle of least privilege by ensuring that applications run with minimal required permissions and avoid executing with administrative privileges when possible. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, using Windows Defender Application Control or similar technologies, and monitoring for suspicious DLL loading activities through security event logging. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify other applications that may be susceptible to similar untrusted search path vulnerabilities, as this class of vulnerability remains prevalent in legacy software systems and can be exploited across multiple software applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms in preventing privilege escalation attacks.