CVE-2010-5238 in PowerDirector
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in CyberLink PowerDirector 8.00.3022 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse dwmapi.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .pdl, .iso, .pds, .p2g, or .p2i file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5238 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting CyberLink PowerDirector version 8.00.3022. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source of dynamically loaded libraries. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes media files with extensions such as .pdl, .iso, .pds, .p2g, or .p2i, which triggers the loading of system components from the current working directory without adequate security checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the principle of dynamic link library hijacking, where an attacker places a malicious dwmapi.dll file in the same directory as a targeted media file. This approach directly violates the security principle of least privilege and demonstrates a classic path traversal vulnerability. The flaw falls under the CWE-426 category of Untrusted Search Path, where applications execute code from untrusted directories. The vulnerability enables local privilege escalation by allowing a malicious user to inject code that executes with the privileges of the targeted application, typically the user running PowerDirector.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open maliciously crafted media files. The attack vector requires physical access or the ability to place files in directories where the application operates, but once exploited, it can lead to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potential privilege escalation, allowing attackers to perform actions that would normally require administrative rights. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of application vulnerabilities, and T1546 which covers hijacking execution flow through dynamic link library injection.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of defense. Organizations should immediately apply vendor patches when available, as this represents a known issue that was likely addressed in subsequent releases. System administrators should implement strict file permission controls and regularly audit application directories for unauthorized DLL files. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running applications with minimal required permissions, and users should be educated about the dangers of opening untrusted media files. Additionally, security tools such as application whitelisting solutions can prevent unauthorized DLL loading by restricting which binaries can execute in specific directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper library loading practices and the need for applications to validate library sources before execution, as outlined in secure coding guidelines for dynamic link library handling.