CVE-2010-3165 in SQLEditorTE
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Yokka NoEditor 1.33.1.1 and earlier, OuiEditor 1.6.1.1 and earlier, UnEditor 1.10.1.2 and earlier, DeuxEditor 1.7.1.2 and earlier, SQLEditorXP 3.14.1.2 and earlier, SQLEditorTE 1.9.1.3 and earlier, SQLEditor8 3.8.1.2 and earlier, and SQLEditorClassic 1.8.1.3 and earlier 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
This vulnerability represents a classic untrusted search path issue that affects multiple SQL editor applications from the same vendor family. The flaw exists in the way these applications resolve executable paths when searching for required components or dependencies. When an application starts, it typically searches through a predefined list of directories to locate necessary files, but this search process does not properly validate or sanitize the paths being searched. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of Yokka NoEditor, OuiEditor, UnEditor, DeuxEditor, SQLEditorXP, SQLEditorTE, SQLEditor8, and SQLEditorClassic up to their respective version numbers mentioned in the CVE. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-428 category, which specifically addresses untrusted search path conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers locally executed malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows a local attacker to place a malicious executable file with the same name as a legitimate application component in the current working directory from which the vulnerable application is launched. When the application attempts to execute a required component, it will first find and execute the attacker-controlled file instead of the legitimate one. This occurs because the application's search path prioritizes the current working directory over system paths, and the attacker can exploit this by placing a Trojan horse executable with identical names in the directory where the vulnerable application is executed. The consequence is that when the application runs, it executes the malicious code with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to privilege escalation or full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the application's user permissions. Attackers can use this technique to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify application behavior, or establish persistence within the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges to exploit and can be triggered simply by placing a malicious file in the working directory. This makes it an attractive target for attackers who may have already gained access to a system through other means, as it provides an easy method to escalate privileges or maintain access. The vulnerability affects multiple versions across different product lines, indicating a systemic issue in the software development lifecycle where proper path validation and secure coding practices were not consistently applied across the vendor's product portfolio.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and secure coding practices. The most effective immediate fix involves modifying the application to use absolute paths when executing required components, rather than relying on relative paths or the current working directory search mechanism. Additionally, applications should implement proper path sanitization to ensure that only trusted directories are searched for executable components. System-level mitigations include running these applications with the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users have minimal necessary permissions, and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which executables can be run in specific directories. Organizations should also consider deploying monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious file placement activities in directories where these applications are commonly executed. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding guidelines such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and should be addressed through comprehensive security testing including static analysis and dynamic analysis of application behavior to identify similar path traversal and search path vulnerabilities in other software components.