CVE-2010-5240 in CorelDRAW X5
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in Corel PHOTO-PAINT and CorelDRAW X5 15.1.0.588 allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse (1) dwmapi.dll or (2) CrlRib.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .cdr, .cpt, .cmx, or .csl file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2018
This vulnerability resides in Corel PHOTO-PAINT and CorelDRAW X5 versions 15.1.0.588, representing a critical untrusted search path issue that enables local privilege escalation through malicious dynamic link library files. The flaw occurs when the applications attempt to load essential system libraries without proper validation of their source or location, creating an exploitable condition where attackers can place malicious files in the current working directory to execute code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the loading of dwmapi.dll and CrlRib.dll files, which are critical components in the graphics processing pipeline. This issue demonstrates a classic security weakness in application design where the software does not implement proper security controls to verify the authenticity and integrity of dynamically loaded libraries, making it susceptible to attack through directory traversal or manipulation techniques. The exploitation vector is particularly concerning as it requires only local access and leverages the application's normal file processing behavior to load malicious code. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically aligning with CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which addresses the dangerous practice of allowing applications to load libraries from insecure locations. The attack scenario involves placing a malicious dwmapi.dll or CrlRib.dll file in the same directory as a legitimate graphics file such as .cdr, .cpt, .cmx, or .csl, which when opened by the vulnerable application triggers the loading of the malicious library instead of the legitimate one. This represents a sophisticated exploitation technique that combines social engineering with system-level privilege escalation, allowing attackers to gain elevated system access without requiring administrative credentials. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, as these libraries often operate with elevated privileges and can access critical system resources. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging dynamic link library injection methods to gain higher system privileges. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the application's failure to implement secure library loading practices, including proper path validation, library signature verification, and controlled loading from system directories only. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting write access to application directories, implementing application whitelisting policies, and ensuring proper privilege separation between user and system processes. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms in preventing exploitation of similar issues across various software applications. System administrators should monitor for suspicious file creation in application directories and implement comprehensive security awareness training to prevent exploitation through social engineering techniques that might involve tricking users into placing malicious files in targeted directories.