CVE-2012-3841 in KMPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in KMPlayer 3.2.0.19 allows local users to execute arbitrary code and conduct DLL hijacking attacks via a Trojan horse ehtrace.dll that is located in the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3841 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness in KMPlayer version 3.2.0.19 that fundamentally compromises system security through improper dynamic link library loading mechanisms. This flaw resides in the application's executable search order which fails to properly validate the source of dynamically loaded libraries, creating an exploitable condition that enables local attackers to elevate privileges and execute malicious code. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the KMPlayer application attempts to load the ehtrace.dll library, which it searches for in the current working directory before checking system directories, thereby allowing attackers to place a malicious version of this library in the same directory as the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-427, which describes uncontrolled search path dependencies, and CWE-428, which covers untrusted search path conditions. This weakness enables attackers to conduct DLL hijacking attacks by placing a specially crafted ehtrace.dll file in the working directory from which KMPlayer is executed, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires minimal user interaction beyond executing the vulnerable application, making it a prime target for social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level where applications load libraries from predictable search paths without proper validation of library authenticity or source verification.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations as it allows local privilege escalation attacks that can result in complete system compromise. The exploitability of CVE-2012-3841 is enhanced by the fact that KMPlayer is commonly installed on user workstations and may be executed with elevated privileges, particularly in enterprise environments where multimedia applications are frequently used. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data theft, system monitoring, and persistence mechanisms that attackers can leverage to maintain access. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a versatile tool in an attacker's arsenal.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized DLLs, regular security audits of installed applications to identify vulnerable versions, and deployment of updated software patches from the vendor. System administrators should also configure application compatibility shims and implement proper file system permissions to prevent unauthorized DLL placement in application directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms, particularly in applications that handle multimedia content where users may execute files from various sources. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious DLL loading patterns and unauthorized file creation in application directories to identify potential exploitation attempts.