CVE-2010-5267 in Easy Office Recovery
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in MunSoft Easy Office Recovery 1.1 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 .doc, .xls, or .ppt file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5267 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within MunSoft Easy Office Recovery version 1.1 that enables local privilege escalation through malicious DLL injection techniques. This flaw operates by exploiting the software's improper handling of dynamic link library (DLL) loading mechanisms, specifically when processing Microsoft Office document files such as .doc, .xls, and .ppt formats. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate the source and integrity of dynamically loaded libraries, creating an avenue for attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the vulnerable software attempts to load the dwmapi.dll library during document processing operations. Under normal circumstances, this library should be loaded from the system's standard library directories, but due to the flawed search path implementation, the application will first search the current working directory for the required DLL. This behavior creates a race condition and directory traversal opportunity where an attacker can place a malicious dwmapi.dll file in the same directory as a targeted Office document. When the user opens the document through the vulnerable recovery tool, the application loads the attacker-controlled DLL instead of the legitimate system library, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the targeted user.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-426, which describes the Untrusted Search Path weakness where applications fail to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used for loading dynamic libraries. The operational impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold on the system through the recovery tool's legitimate installation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a document, making it suitable for social engineering campaigns or targeted attacks against specific user groups. The vulnerability's exploitation is facilitated by the fact that many users regularly use office recovery tools and may inadvertently open compromised documents without proper security awareness.
The attack scenario typically begins with an attacker placing a malicious dwmapi.dll file in a directory containing a legitimate Office document. When the user opens this document using the vulnerable recovery tool, the application loads the malicious DLL which can then execute arbitrary code, establish backdoors, or perform other malicious activities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers the execution of malicious code through legitimate system processes, and T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation. The threat landscape surrounding this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign recovery tools can become attack vectors for privilege escalation, particularly in environments where users have elevated privileges or where the recovery tool is frequently used by multiple users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5267 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of MunSoft Easy Office Recovery or migrating to alternative recovery tools that properly implement secure DLL loading practices. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized DLL execution and establish secure coding practices that enforce proper DLL search path validation. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening documents from untrusted sources and the importance of maintaining updated software versions. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for proper DLL loading security measures and demonstrates how legacy software vulnerabilities can persist for extended periods without proper maintenance or security updates.