CVE-2012-0223 in TERMIS
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in 7-Technologies (7T) TERMIS 2.10 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0224.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0223 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting 7-Technologies TERMIS 2.10 and earlier versions. This flaw resides in the software's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the application fails to properly validate the source of dynamically loaded libraries. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application attempts to load DLL files without explicitly specifying their full paths, instead relying on the system's default search order. This behavior creates an exploitable condition where a malicious actor can place a specially crafted Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, which the application will then load and execute with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates under the principle of path traversal and DLL hijacking, where the attacker leverages the system's library search order to execute arbitrary code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper DLL loading practices within the TERMIS application. When the software initializes and attempts to load required dynamic libraries, it follows the Windows DLL search order which includes the current working directory before checking system directories. This design flaw allows attackers to position malicious DLL files in the working directory, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-427, which specifically addresses uncontrolled search path elements that enable attackers to load malicious code. The attack vector involves placing a crafted DLL file with the same name as a legitimate library that the application expects to load, thereby executing malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user or system process.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running affected versions of TERMIS software, particularly in enterprise environments where local user accounts may have elevated privileges. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation, data theft, and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads with the same privileges as the running application, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the application operates with administrative rights. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any local user who can manipulate the current working directory. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through DLL side-loading, and represents a common attack pattern used in enterprise security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0223 focus on addressing the root cause through proper DLL loading practices and system hardening measures. Organizations should implement explicit DLL path resolution by using LoadLibraryEx with the LOAD_WITH_ALTERED_SEARCH_PATH flag or by specifying full paths to all required libraries. The recommended approach involves modifying the application's initialization code to avoid relying on the default search order and instead explicitly load libraries from trusted locations. System administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies using tools like Windows AppLocker to restrict which DLL files can be loaded by the application. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from 7-Technologies should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent versions of the software. Network segmentation and privilege separation measures can further reduce the potential impact of exploitation by limiting the scope of what an attacker can achieve even if they successfully exploit this vulnerability. The implementation of these mitigations aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-171 and other cybersecurity frameworks that emphasize the importance of secure coding practices and proper library management in preventing such vulnerabilities.