CVE-2010-3156 in K2Editor
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in K2 K2Editor before 1.5.9 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3156 represents a classic untrusted search path issue affecting the K2 K2Editor software version 1.5.8 and earlier. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure library loading practices that have been extensively documented in security frameworks including CWE-426 and CWE-706. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate the source and integrity of executable files loaded from the current working directory, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can elevate their privileges through carefully crafted Trojan horse executables.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the trust model inherent in many Windows applications that automatically search for required libraries and executables in the current working directory before examining system paths. When K2 K2Editor executes commands or loads dependencies, it does not properly sanitize the execution environment, allowing an attacker to place a malicious executable with the same name as a legitimate system component in the current working directory. This creates a race condition where the application loads the attacker-controlled file instead of the intended system file, potentially executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the privilege escalation level, allowing local users to gain elevated system access without requiring administrative credentials.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using K2 K2Editor, particularly in environments where users may have limited administrative privileges but still need to execute the application. The attack vector is relatively simple to exploit, requiring only that an attacker gain access to a user's session or directory where the application is executed. The privilege escalation potential means that even if users are not administrators, they could potentially gain system-level access through this vulnerability. This type of vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the privilege escalation techniques, specifically mapping to T1068 which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation' and T1574 which covers 'Hijacking Execution Flow'. The impact is particularly severe because it can be exploited by users with minimal privileges, making it a common target for both internal and external threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3156 should focus on addressing the root cause of the untrusted search path issue through proper application hardening and system configuration. Organizations should immediately upgrade to K2 K2Editor version 1.5.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to resolve the vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper directory permissions and access controls to limit where executable files can be placed in the current working directory. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that applications run with minimal required permissions and that the current working directory is properly secured. Network segmentation and monitoring should also be implemented to detect suspicious file placement activities in directories where the vulnerable application executes. Security awareness training for users is also critical to prevent accidental execution of malicious files in working directories, and regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized executable files exist in application execution paths. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in applications that dynamically load external components or execute system commands.