CVE-2010-5201 in Samplitude Producer
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in MAGIX Samplitude Producer 11 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse PlayRIplA6.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .vip file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5201 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness in MAGIX Samplitude Producer 11 software, a digital audio workstation widely used for music production and editing. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source and authenticity of dynamically linked libraries loaded at runtime. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes .vip files, which are project files containing audio editing configurations and references to various audio processing components. When a user opens a maliciously crafted .vip file from a directory containing a specially named Trojan horse DLL file, the system's default search order allows the malicious library to be loaded before legitimate system components, creating a privilege escalation vector.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-426, which describes untrusted search path vulnerabilities where applications search for libraries in insecure locations. The attack leverages the fact that MAGIX Samplitude Producer 11 does not implement proper library validation or secure path resolution mechanisms. When the application encounters a .vip file that references external audio processing libraries, it searches for these components in the current working directory first, followed by standard system paths. This search order prioritizes user-controllable directories, making it possible for local attackers to place malicious DLL files that match the expected library names. The specific Trojan horse file name PlayRIplA6.dll demonstrates the attacker's knowledge of the application's expected library naming conventions, allowing the malicious component to masquerade as legitimate software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. Local users who can manipulate the current working directory where .vip files are processed gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted application, which typically runs with elevated permissions due to audio processing requirements. This presents a significant risk in multi-user environments where less privileged users might access audio projects created by system administrators or other trusted personnel. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Local Port Forwarding' and related privilege escalation methods, though the specific mechanism here operates through DLL hijacking rather than port manipulation. The exploitation process requires minimal sophistication and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open audio project files from untrusted sources or network shares.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5201 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided patch or update that corrects the library loading behavior to implement secure path resolution and validate library authenticity. Organizations should also implement strict directory permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized DLL placement in directories containing audio project files. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can prevent execution of unauthorized DLL files, while regular security audits should verify that no malicious libraries exist in common audio processing directories. System administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious library loading patterns and establish procedures for verifying the integrity of audio project files before opening them in production environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms as outlined in secure development guidelines and security frameworks that emphasize the need for explicit path validation and secure component loading procedures.