CVE-2010-5222 in Ease Jukebox
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Ease Jukebox 1.40 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse wmaudsdk.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .mp3 or .wav file. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5222 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within Ease Jukebox version 1.40 that enables local privilege escalation through malicious DLL injection techniques. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source and authenticity of dynamically loaded components. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the jukebox application processes audio files and attempts to load supporting libraries from the current working directory without implementing proper security checks or path validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a Trojan horse attack vector where an attacker places a malicious wmaudsdk.dll file in the same directory as a targeted audio file such as .mp3 or .wav. When Ease Jukebox attempts to process these media files, it automatically loads the malicious DLL from the current working directory instead of the legitimate system locations where the authentic library should reside. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of privilege separation and secure coding practices, creating a path traversal vulnerability that allows unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. The flaw directly aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses insecure library loading mechanisms that can be exploited by placing malicious components in directories that are searched before legitimate system locations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running Ease Jukebox 1.40, as local attackers can leverage it to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be carried out through simple file placement in directories containing audio files, making it particularly dangerous in shared or multi-user environments where users may inadvertently execute malicious code. The privilege escalation aspect means that even if the initial user account has limited permissions, successful exploitation could potentially grant access to system-level resources or allow attackers to perform actions that would normally require administrative privileges.
The security implications extend beyond immediate privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise potential. This vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in software development practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper DLL loading security measures such as explicit path resolution, digital signature validation, and secure library loading mechanisms. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK technique T1055.001 Process Injection: Dynamic-link Library Injection, which describes methods attackers use to inject malicious code into legitimate processes. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of application whitelisting policies, and enhanced monitoring of file system changes in directories containing media processing applications. System administrators should also consider restricting write permissions to directories where media files are processed and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized DLL placement. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing such exploitation vectors that can lead to complete system compromise.