CVE-2010-5223 in Phoenix Project Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in Phoenix Project Manager 2.1.0.8 allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse (1) wbtrv32.dll or (2) w3btrv7.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .ppx file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5223 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting Phoenix Project Manager version 2.1.0.8. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which occurs when an application searches for libraries or executables in directories that could be manipulated by attackers. The flaw specifically manifests when the application loads dynamic link libraries wbtrv32.dll and w3btrv7.dll from the current working directory rather than from a secure, predetermined location. This behavior creates a privilege escalation vector that allows local attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the principle of DLL hijacking, where attackers place malicious DLL files in directories that are searched before the legitimate system directories. In this case, when a user opens a .ppx file in the Phoenix Project Manager, the application's loading mechanism searches for the required libraries in the current working directory first. This search order vulnerability allows an attacker to place a malicious wbtrv32.dll or w3btrv7.dll file in the same directory as the .ppx file or in the working directory where the application executes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as privilege escalation through DLL hijacking under technique T1055.001.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local users to gain elevated privileges without requiring administrative credentials or complex exploitation techniques. An attacker merely needs to place a malicious DLL file in a directory where the vulnerable application operates, making the attack surface relatively broad and easy to execute. The vulnerability affects the application's security model by undermining the principle of least privilege and trust boundaries, as the application assumes that files in its working directory are legitimate. This issue particularly impacts enterprise environments where users may have access to project files and where the application is frequently executed from user-controlled directories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5223 should focus on addressing the root cause of the untrusted search path behavior. The most effective approach involves modifying the application's library loading mechanism to use absolute paths or to explicitly specify secure search directories. Organizations should implement strict file permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized users from placing files in directories where the vulnerable application operates. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict which DLLs can be loaded by the application. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading procedures, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Guidelines and the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle. Regular security audits should verify that applications do not exhibit similar untrusted search path behaviors, and users should be educated about the risks of executing files from untrusted directories.