CVE-2010-5204 in Lotus Symphony
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in IBM Lotus Symphony 1.3.0 20090908.0900 allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse (1) eclipse_1114.dll or (2) emser645mi.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .odm, .odt, .otp, .stc, .stw, .sxg, or .sxw file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5204 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting IBM Lotus Symphony 1.3.0 released in September 2009. This flaw stems from the application's improper handling of dynamic library loading mechanisms, specifically when processing office document files with extensions including .odm, .odt, .otp, .stc, .stw, .sxg, and .sxw. The vulnerability operates under CWE-427, which classifies uncontrolled search path elements, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, involving the exploitation of privileges through malicious DLL injection. The root cause lies in the application's failure to properly validate or restrict the search path for dynamically loaded libraries, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the Windows dynamic link library loading behavior where applications search for required DLL files in a specific order including the current working directory. When users open office documents in directories containing malicious files named eclipse_1114.dll or emser645mi.dll, the system loads these Trojan horse libraries instead of legitimate system components. This occurs because IBM Lotus Symphony 1.3.0 does not explicitly specify full paths for library loading or implement proper security controls to prevent loading of untrusted libraries from arbitrary locations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no elevated privileges to execute, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by any user with access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5204 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the user has administrative rights. The vulnerability affects a specific version of IBM Lotus Symphony, but similar patterns exist in many legacy applications that do not properly implement secure library loading practices. This flaw demonstrates the importance of proper DLL search path management and the risks associated with applications that rely on implicit rather than explicit library loading mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5204 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of IBM Lotus Symphony or implementing proper security controls such as setting the PATH environment variable to prioritize system directories over user directories. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of unsigned or untrusted DLL files, leveraging technologies such as Windows AppLocker or similar application control mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other legacy applications, as this pattern of untrusted search path exploitation has been documented across numerous software platforms. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of implementing proper library loading security measures to prevent such privilege escalation attacks.