CVE-2014-9209 in FactoryTalk Services Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the Clean Utility application in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform before 2.71.00 and FactoryTalk View Studio 8.00.00 and earlier allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9209 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness within Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Services Platform and FactoryTalk View Studio applications. This flaw exists in the Clean Utility application component that is responsible for system maintenance and cleanup operations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of dynamic library loading mechanisms where the application does not validate or sanitize the search paths used to locate required DLL files. This creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can place crafted malicious DLL files in directories that are searched before the legitimate system directories, effectively enabling privilege escalation through a Trojan horse attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses situations where applications search for libraries or executables in directories that can be manipulated by unprivileged users. The flaw manifests when the Clean Utility application executes without proper path validation, allowing it to load DLLs from directories with lower privilege access levels. Attackers can exploit this by placing a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate system DLL in a directory that appears earlier in the system's PATH environment variable or in the application's hardcoded search paths. This vulnerability operates under the principle that applications should never trust the contents of directories specified in their search paths without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to industrial control systems. Local users who can write to directories in the search path can effectively elevate their privileges to that of the running application, which typically operates with elevated system permissions. This creates a significant risk in industrial environments where FactoryTalk platforms are deployed, as these systems often control critical infrastructure operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background and can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or external attack vectors, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring approaches. The attack vector falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and specifically relates to T1546.009, which addresses Exploitation for Client Execution through DLL Side-Loading.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9209 should focus on implementing proper path validation and secure coding practices within the affected applications. Organizations should immediately update to FactoryTalk Services Platform version 2.71.00 or later and FactoryTalk View Studio 8.00.01 or newer, which contain the necessary patches to address the untrusted search path vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper file permissions and access controls on directories where applications load DLLs, ensuring that only authorized users have write access to these locations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring applications to use absolute paths for DLL loading rather than relying on system search paths. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious DLL placement activities in system directories, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential untrusted search path vulnerabilities in industrial control system applications. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can also provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts.