CVE-2010-5268 in Kindle for PC
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Amazon Kindle for PC 1.3.0 30884 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse wintab32.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .azw file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5268 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting Amazon Kindle for PC version 1.3.0 build 30884. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library (dll) loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source and authenticity of dynamically loaded components. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes .azw files, which are Amazon's proprietary e-book format used within the Kindle ecosystem. When a user opens an .azw file from a directory containing a malicious wintab32.dll file, the system's default search path behavior causes the application to load the malicious library instead of the legitimate system component.
This vulnerability operates under the principle of path traversal and library injection, where attackers exploit the predictable order in which Windows searches for dynamic link libraries. The system first searches the current working directory before examining system directories, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks. The malicious wintab32.dll file can be crafted to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running Kindle application process, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions such as file manipulation, registry modification, or even system-level operations depending on the application's execution context. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which specifically addresses the risks associated with applications that search for libraries in untrusted locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access within a compromised system. Attackers can place malicious files in directories containing legitimate .azw documents, making the attack vector appear legitimate to users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond opening a document, making it an ideal candidate for social engineering attacks. The attack surface is further expanded since the vulnerability affects any directory containing .azw files, meaning that even users who primarily use other applications could be compromised when they open Kindle documents in shared directories. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the malicious code execution occurs through legitimate application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and the underlying architectural flaw in the application's library loading behavior. The most effective immediate solution involves modifying the application's search path to prioritize system directories over the current working directory, ensuring that legitimate system libraries are always loaded first. Additionally, implementing proper library validation mechanisms such as digital signatures verification and explicit path resolution can prevent unauthorized code loading. System administrators should consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to restrict which executables can run on the system, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted .azw files. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments of third-party applications, as this issue demonstrates how seemingly benign file processing operations can create significant security risks. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual library loading patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.