CVE-2013-6182 in Replication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in EMC Replication Manager before 5.5 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted application in a parent directory of an intended directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2022
The CVE-2013-6182 vulnerability represents a critical unquoted search path weakness in EMC Replication Manager version 5.4 and earlier, which creates a significant privilege escalation vector for local attackers. This flaw stems from improper handling of executable paths during the application's search process, where the system fails to properly quote directory paths containing spaces, allowing malicious actors to place crafted executables in parent directories that are searched before the intended target locations. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows operating system's executable search order mechanism, where the system searches for executables in the order specified in the PATH environment variable without proper path quoting, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code. According to the CWE taxonomy, this corresponds to CWE-428: "OS Command Injection" and CWE-78: "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command," though it manifests more specifically as a path traversal and privilege escalation vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1068: "Local Port Forwarding" and T1548.002: "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Bypass User Account Control" as it enables attackers to bypass normal security controls through path manipulation. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows local users to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted service account or system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. When a legitimate application attempts to execute a program located in a directory path that contains spaces but lacks proper quotation, Windows searches the directory path components in order, first checking parent directories before the intended target directory. This behavior creates a window of opportunity for attackers to place malicious executables in directories such as Program Files or other system directories, which are often searched before the intended application directories. The exploit requires local access to the system, but once achieved, it provides a persistent method for privilege escalation that can be leveraged to maintain access and move laterally within the network environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the Replication Manager service runs with elevated privileges, as attackers can potentially escalate from standard user accounts to system-level access. Organizations running affected versions of EMC Replication Manager should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 5.5 or later, properly quoting all executable paths in service configurations, and implementing strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access. Additionally, security administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all service paths and directory permissions to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the enterprise infrastructure, as this type of path traversal issue often indicates broader configuration weaknesses that may affect other applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper path handling in security-critical applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration issues can create significant security risks in enterprise environments.