CVE-2011-5157 in Reflection X
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Attachmate Reflection before 14.1 SP1 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, a related issue to CVE-2011-0107. 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-2011-5157 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness affecting Attachmate Reflection software versions prior to 14.1 Service Pack 1. This flaw constitutes a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables local attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges by leveraging a Trojan horse DLL file placed in the current working directory. The issue is classified under CWE-427 Untrusted Search Path, which specifically addresses the dangerous practice of including untrusted directories in the search path for dynamic library loading. The vulnerability operates through a well-known attack pattern where malicious actors place a specially crafted DLL file in the same directory as a legitimate application, exploiting the operating system's default behavior of searching directories in a predetermined order. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly relates to CVE-2011-0107, indicating a pattern of similar weaknesses within the same software family that suggests systemic design flaws in how the application handles dynamic library loading.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of dynamic link library loading in Windows operating systems where applications search for required DLL files in a specific order including the current working directory before examining system directories. When Attachmate Reflection processes certain operations, it loads DLL dependencies without properly validating the source or path of these libraries, creating an opportunity for attackers to place a malicious DLL file with the same name as a legitimate dependency in the current working directory. This allows the malicious code to execute with the privileges of the Reflection application, which typically runs with elevated permissions due to its system integration requirements. The attack vector requires local system access but does not necessitate network connectivity or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently execute malicious code or where privilege escalation is already possible through other means.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5157 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain elevated privileges to perform actions such as installing malware, modifying system files, accessing sensitive data, or establishing persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Reflection software is commonly used for terminal emulation and remote access to mainframe systems, creating potential entry points for attackers targeting critical business infrastructure. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple system components and its relationship to CVE-2011-0107 suggests that organizations using older versions of Attachmate Reflection may be exposed to coordinated attacks that exploit multiple weaknesses within the same software ecosystem. Organizations that have not updated to version 14.1 SP1 or later remain at significant risk, as the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls and execute code with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5157 primarily focus on immediate software updates and implementation of security best practices for dynamic library loading. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Attachmate Reflection 14.1 Service Pack 1 or later, which includes patches that address the untrusted search path vulnerability through proper DLL loading mechanisms and enhanced path validation. Organizations should also implement the principle of least privilege by running Reflection applications with minimal required permissions and avoiding execution from directories containing untrusted content. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting solutions that prevent execution of unauthorized DLL files, monitoring system directories for suspicious file placements, and conducting regular security audits to identify potentially compromised systems. Security professionals should also consider implementing the ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique for detecting and preventing DLL side-loading attacks, which aligns with the remediation strategies for this specific vulnerability. System administrators should ensure that the current working directory is not included in the DLL search path for critical applications and that proper file integrity checking mechanisms are in place to detect unauthorized modifications to system files or directories.