CVE-2012-4881 in moviEZ HD
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in moviEZ HD 1.0 Build 2554-29894-A allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse avrt.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by a directory that contains a .mvz file. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4881 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting moviEZ HD version 1.0 Build 2554-29894-A. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source of dynamically loaded components. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes .mvz files, which are typically multimedia container formats that may contain embedded executable content. When a user opens a maliciously crafted .mvz file, the application's loading process inadvertently searches the current working directory for required libraries before checking system directories, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject malicious code through carefully placed Trojan horse files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic privilege escalation attack pattern where local users can elevate their privileges through malicious DLL hijacking. The avrt.dll file serves as the primary attack vector in this scenario, as it represents a legitimate Windows system component that the moviEZ HD application attempts to load. When an attacker places a malicious avrt.dll file in the same directory as the .mvz file, the application loads this malicious component instead of the legitimate system version, thereby executing attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the victim user. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the risk of applications loading libraries from untrusted directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the compromised system. Since the attack requires only local user access and involves a common multimedia file format, it presents a significant risk to environments where users frequently open multimedia content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering techniques where users unknowingly open malicious .mvz files, making it particularly dangerous in corporate or educational environments. The attack vector is further amplified by the fact that the application's behavior is not immediately apparent to users, as the malicious DLL loading occurs silently during normal file processing operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and specifically demonstrates how untrusted search path vulnerabilities can be leveraged to achieve elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. System administrators should implement strict file permissions and directory access controls to prevent unauthorized DLL placement in application directories. The recommended approach includes applying the principle of least privilege by running applications with minimal required permissions and implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict which executables can run on the system. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, specifically ensuring that applications use absolute paths when loading dynamic libraries and implement proper library validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider deploying security solutions that monitor for suspicious DLL loading patterns and can detect when applications attempt to load libraries from unexpected directories. The most effective long-term solution involves updating to patched versions of moviEZ HD or migrating to alternative multimedia processing software that implements proper secure library loading practices, as this vulnerability fundamentally stems from poor software design that fails to validate library sources during runtime execution.