CVE-2010-5269 in Threading Building Blocks
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in tbb.dll in Intel Threading Building Blocks (TBB) 2.2.013 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse tbbmalloc.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .pbk file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5269 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within Intel Threading Building Blocks version 2.2.013, specifically affecting the tbb.dll component. This flaw manifests as a privilege escalation vulnerability that exploits the manner in which the threading library resolves dynamic link library dependencies. The vulnerability operates through a classic Trojan horse attack vector where a malicious actor places a crafted tbbmalloc.dll file in the current working directory of a target system. When the vulnerable application executes and attempts to load the threading building blocks library, the system's dynamic linker searches through the current directory before examining system paths, thereby inadvertently loading the malicious library instead of the legitimate one.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that occurs when a program searches for libraries or other resources using a search path that includes untrusted directories. The attack scenario described in the vulnerability report demonstrates how a directory containing a .pbk file could serve as the staging ground for the malicious DLL, suggesting that the vulnerability may be triggered through normal user interactions with file systems or applications that utilize Intel TBB. This particular implementation flaw allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the victim, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges to exploit and can be triggered through seemingly benign file operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5269 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the security context of the targeted application. This vulnerability affects any application that relies on Intel Threading Building Blocks for parallel processing capabilities, which includes numerous enterprise applications, development tools, and scientific computing software that leverage multi-threading for performance optimization. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it can be triggered without user interaction beyond normal file system access, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional user awareness training. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068 Valid Accounts and T1546 Event Triggered Execution, as it exploits legitimate system mechanisms to achieve unauthorized code execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of Intel Threading Building Blocks, as Intel would have addressed the search path issue in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement strict directory permissions and audit access to directories where applications execute, particularly those containing application-specific libraries. The implementation of DLL signature verification and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns in application directories and establish regular security assessments to identify other potential untrusted search path vulnerabilities within the enterprise environment. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms in preventing privilege escalation attacks.