CVE-2010-5258 in Audition
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Adobe Audition 3.0 build 7283.0 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse Assist.Dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .ses file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2019
This vulnerability represents a classic untrusted search path issue that affects Adobe Audition 3.0 build 7283.0, classified under CWE-427 Untrusted Search Path. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate the source of dynamically loaded libraries, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation through malicious DLL injection. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application loads the Assist.Dll file from the current working directory without adequate verification of its authenticity or origin, allowing local attackers to place a malicious Trojan horse file in the same directory as a .ses session file.
The technical exploitation involves placing a crafted Assist.Dll file in the working directory where Adobe Audition is executed, typically when opening a .ses file. This creates a scenario where the legitimate application loads the malicious DLL instead of the intended system library, enabling the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the target user. The vulnerability leverages the Windows DLL loading mechanism, which searches for dependencies in the current working directory before examining system paths, a behavior that has been documented in various security advisories and exploited in numerous attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant security risk for users who may unknowingly open maliciously crafted session files or who work in environments where directory contents cannot be fully trusted. The local privilege escalation capability means that an attacker with basic user access can potentially gain elevated privileges, making this particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when users have administrative rights. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices related to library loading and path resolution, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper DLL loading practices including using absolute paths for library loading, implementing digital signatures verification for loaded components, and ensuring proper privilege separation. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict which executables can run in user contexts, and users should be educated about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping software updated, as Adobe likely addressed this issue in subsequent releases through proper path validation and secure library loading mechanisms. Organizations should implement security awareness training to prevent users from inadvertently executing malicious code through seemingly benign file operations, particularly when dealing with media files that may trigger application-specific loading behaviors.