CVE-2010-5207 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in CelFrame Office 2008 Standard Edition allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse (1) java_msci.dll or (2) msci_java.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .doc, .xls, or .odg file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5207 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within CelFrame Office 2008 Standard Edition, a document processing application that handles various office file formats including .doc, .xls, and .odg files. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of dynamic library loading mechanisms during document processing operations. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to load necessary runtime libraries without properly validating the source or path of these dependencies, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's reliance on dynamic loading of specific DLL files named java_msci.dll and msci_java.dll during document processing. When a user opens a document from a directory containing these malicious DLL files, the application loads them from the current working directory rather than from a secure system location. This untrusted search path behavior creates a classic privilege escalation vector where an attacker can place a malicious version of these DLL files in the same directory as a legitimate office document, causing the application to execute the attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the user running the application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability has significant implications for enterprise security environments where users may inadvertently open documents from untrusted sources such as email attachments, shared network drives, or removable media. The attack requires local system access and user interaction to open the malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have elevated privileges or where social engineering attacks could be employed to trick users into opening compromised files. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to maintain secure execution boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level access depending on the user's permissions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the issue of applications using untrusted search paths for loading dynamic libraries. This weakness is further categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Local Privilege Escalation through the exploitation of insecure library loading mechanisms. The attack vector demonstrates how attackers can leverage the principle of least privilege violations in software design to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should implement strict library loading policies that enforce secure search paths, utilize application whitelisting mechanisms, and ensure that all system components are regularly updated to address such vulnerabilities. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening documents from untrusted sources, as user behavior remains a critical factor in successful exploitation of this class of vulnerability. The impact extends beyond immediate privilege escalation to potentially enable further attacks including lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms that could compromise entire organizational infrastructures.