CVE-2010-5259 in IsoBuster
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple untrusted search path vulnerabilities in IsoBuster 2.8 allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse (1) wnaspi32.dll or (2) ntaspi32.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .img file. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5259 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting IsoBuster version 2.8, a disk imaging and data recovery utility widely used for retrieving files from various storage media. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate or restrict the paths from which it loads essential system libraries. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application attempts to load either wnaspi32.dll or ntaspi32.dll files, which are critical components for SCSI interface communication and disk access operations. When these DLL files are present in the current working directory or the application's execution path, the system will load them regardless of their authenticity or origin, creating a dangerous privilege escalation vector.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a Trojan horse attack vector where a local attacker places malicious versions of the wnaspi32.dll or ntaspi32.dll files in the same directory as the IsoBuster executable or in the current working directory from which the application is launched. This behavior aligns with CWE-426, which describes untrusted search path vulnerabilities where applications use external libraries without proper validation of their source or integrity. The attack is particularly effective because the application's loading mechanism does not perform explicit path validation or use secure library loading practices such as LoadLibrary with full paths or DLL signature verification. When IsoBuster attempts to access disk imaging functionality, it automatically loads the malicious DLL from the current directory, potentially executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data compromise and system integrity violations. Since IsoBuster is commonly used for disk imaging and recovery operations, an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive data stored on the compromised system through the imaging process. The privilege escalation aspect means that if a user with elevated permissions runs IsoBuster, the attacker could potentially escalate to system-level access, enabling further exploitation through techniques such as credential dumping or lateral movement. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users may not be security-aware and where IsoBuster is frequently used for disk analysis tasks, making it a prime target for local attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within a compromised system.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significantly expanded by the nature of how IsoBuster operates in typical user environments, where the current working directory may contain untrusted files or where users may be tricked into running the application from compromised directories. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic ATT&CK technique under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548.1 Valid Accounts where local privilege escalation is achieved through manipulation of application execution paths. Organizations should consider implementing security controls such as application whitelisting, secure library loading practices, and monitoring for suspicious DLL loading activities. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of running applications from untrusted directories and the importance of verifying file integrity before executing software, particularly utilities that interact with system-level resources and disk imaging operations. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms in preventing unauthorized privilege escalation through search path manipulation.