CVE-2010-5235 in IZArc
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in IZArc Archiver 4.1.2 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse ztv7z.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .arj file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5235 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within IZArc Archiver version 4.1.2 that enables local privilege escalation through malicious DLL injection techniques. This flaw operates by exploiting the application's failure to properly validate the security context of dynamically loaded libraries, creating an environment where attacker-controlled code can be executed with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the archiver processes compressed files containing .arj archives, as the application searches for required libraries in the current working directory without adequate security checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic DLL hijacking pattern where the malicious ztv7z.dll file is placed in the same directory as the target .arj file, allowing the application to load the attacker-controlled library instead of the legitimate system library. This behavior aligns with CWE-427, which describes uncontrolled search path vulnerabilities that occur when applications search for libraries in insecure locations. The flaw essentially creates a trust boundary violation where the application implicitly trusts any DLL present in the working directory, bypassing normal security mechanisms that would typically prevent such privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and security posture, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted archive files from unknown sources. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running IZArc, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a malicious archive file, making it suitable for social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign archive processing functionality can be exploited to establish persistent access and escalate privileges.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate privilege escalation to encompass broader security implications including potential data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and establishment of backdoor access. Organizations using IZArc version 4.1.2 should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader attack surface assessment, particularly in environments where users have the ability to process untrusted archive files. The flaw also highlights the importance of secure coding practices around library loading and search path management, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreters and T1068 for privilege escalation through local exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of IZArc to a version that addresses the untrusted search path vulnerability, combined with administrative controls such as restricting user access to potentially malicious archive files and implementing proper library loading security measures. System administrators should also consider monitoring for suspicious DLL loading activities and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of following secure coding guidelines that emphasize proper library path validation and privilege separation, particularly in applications that handle user-provided data through file processing mechanisms.