CVE-2010-3397 in PGP
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in PGP Desktop 9.9.0 Build 397, 9.10.x, 10.0.0 Build 2732, and probably other versions allows local users, and possibly remote attackers, to execute arbitrary code and conduct DLL hijacking attacks via a Trojan horse tsp.dll or tvttsp.dll that is located in the same folder as a .p12, .pem, .pgp, .prk, .prvkr, .pubkr, .rnd, or .skr file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3397 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting PGP Desktop versions 9.9.0 Build 397, 9.10.x, and 10.0.0 Build 2732, with potential impact extending to other versions within this product line. This flaw resides in the software's handling of cryptographic file operations and demonstrates a classic path traversal vulnerability that enables attackers to execute malicious code through carefully placed malicious DLL files. The vulnerability specifically targets the software's directory search mechanism when processing various cryptographic file formats including .p12, .pem, .pgp, .prk, .prvkr, .pubkr, .rnd, and .skr extensions. The root cause lies in the application's failure to properly validate the origin of dynamically loaded libraries, creating an environment where attacker-controlled code can be loaded and executed with the privileges of the targeted application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a well-documented DLL hijacking pattern where attackers place malicious libraries in directories that are searched before system directories, effectively intercepting legitimate library loading requests. In this case, the malicious files tsp.dll or tvttsp.dll are positioned in the same directory as the cryptographic files being processed, exploiting the application's trust in local directory searches. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-426, which describes the insecure loading of dynamic libraries, and represents a variant of the broader class of issues categorized under CWE-706, which covers the use of untrusted inputs in a context that requires trusted inputs. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation attacks where local users can gain elevated privileges, while remote attackers may potentially exploit this through file transfer mechanisms or web-based delivery methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise capabilities, particularly when attackers can influence the placement of malicious DLL files in targeted directories. The vulnerability's potential for remote exploitation makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently process untrusted cryptographic files from external sources. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware components within the compromised system. The attack vector demonstrates the principle of least privilege violation, where the application's trust in local file system searches creates an opening for privilege escalation that can be exploited across multiple operating system contexts. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where PGP Desktop is used for email encryption and digital signature verification, as these operations often occur in user directories where attackers can place malicious files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3397 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of PGP Desktop or implement restrictive file access controls that prevent unauthorized DLL placement in user directories. The solution approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which addresses execution through dynamic-link library injection, and requires implementing proper DLL search order policies. System administrators should configure applications to use absolute paths for library loading rather than relying on default search paths, and implement application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of unauthorized DLL files. Additionally, network segmentation and user access controls should be enforced to limit the ability of attackers to place malicious files in targeted directories, while regular security audits should monitor for unauthorized DLL placements in cryptographic processing directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices around library loading and path resolution, emphasizing the need for developers to follow secure development lifecycle principles that prevent similar issues in future implementations.