CVE-2010-3967 in Windows Movie Maker
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Movie Maker (WMM) 2.6 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a Movie Maker (MSWMM) file, aka "Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3967 represents a classic insecure library loading flaw that affects Microsoft Windows Movie Maker version 2.6. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate the source and integrity of dynamically loaded libraries, creating a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when Windows Movie Maker attempts to load dynamic link libraries from the current working directory without adequate security checks, allowing malicious actors to place a specially crafted Trojan horse DLL in the same directory as a legitimate Movie Maker file.
This untrusted search path vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification CWE-426, which specifically addresses the insecure loading of dynamic libraries. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages the trust relationship between the application and its working directory, exploiting the assumption that libraries loaded from the current directory are legitimate. When a user opens a Movie Maker file that resides in a directory containing a malicious DLL, the application loads the attacker-controlled library instead of the legitimate one, providing a direct path to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access to affected systems. Attackers can place malicious DLLs in directories where Movie Maker is frequently executed, such as user documents or shared network locations, creating a stealthy method of privilege escalation that may go undetected for extended periods. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as it provides a foundational attack surface that enables further exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may not be security-aware and may inadvertently open malicious Movie Maker files, or where attackers have already gained low-privilege access and seek to escalate their privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate threat and prevent similar issues in other applications. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through patch updates that modified the library loading behavior to prioritize system directories over the current working directory. Organizations should implement strict application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of unsigned or untrusted DLLs, particularly in user-accessible directories. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting write access to directories where Movie Maker files are stored, and by ensuring that the current working directory is not included in the library search path. Additionally, regular security assessments should identify and remediate similar insecure library loading patterns in other legacy applications. System administrators should also consider implementing security monitoring to detect unusual DLL loading patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability can be automated and scaled across multiple systems.