CVE-2010-4236 in OmniFind
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in estaskwrapper in IBM OmniFind Enterprise Edition before 9.1 allows local users to gain privileges via an ES_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable and a modified PATH environment variable, which is used during execution of the estasklight program, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-3895.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4236 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness in IBM OmniFind Enterprise Edition versions prior to 9.1. This flaw specifically affects the estaskwrapper component and exposes systems to privilege escalation attacks through manipulation of environment variables. The vulnerability operates by leveraging the ES_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable in conjunction with a modified PATH environment variable, creating a dangerous execution context that can be exploited by local attackers. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it targets the estasklight program execution process, where the system loads libraries from predictable locations without proper validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper environment variable handling within the estaskwrapper utility. When the estasklight program executes, it relies on the PATH and ES_LIBRARY_PATH variables to locate required libraries and executables. An attacker can manipulate these variables to point to maliciously crafted libraries or binaries in locations that are searched before legitimate system directories. This behavior aligns with CWE-426, which describes the insecure loading of dynamic libraries due to untrusted search paths, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and environment variable sanitization, allowing attackers to inject code or modify program behavior through carefully crafted environmental conditions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to escalate their privileges within the system, potentially gaining elevated access that could lead to complete system compromise. The attack requires local access but does not need network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local privilege escalation can be leveraged to move laterally or establish persistent access. The vulnerability affects systems running IBM OmniFind Enterprise Edition versions before 9.1, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments for document management and search capabilities. The fact that this vulnerability operates through environment variable manipulation rather than direct code injection makes it more difficult to detect through traditional security monitoring approaches, as the malicious code execution occurs through legitimate system mechanisms.
The exploitation of CVE-2010-4236 follows ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation of system vulnerabilities. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2010-3895, indicating that multiple attack vectors exist within the same software family. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to IBM OmniFind Enterprise Edition 9.1 or later, implementing proper environment variable sanitization, and monitoring for suspicious PATH or ES_LIBRARY_PATH modifications. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege principles and regular security audits to detect unauthorized environment variable changes. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper library loading practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration issues can result in significant security implications. Additionally, organizations should review their overall security posture and ensure that environment variables are properly validated and sanitized to prevent similar issues in other applications.