CVE-2015-2368 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows RT 8.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory, aka "Windows DLL Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
This vulnerability represents a classic untrusted search path issue that affects multiple versions of the windows operating system including windows 7 sp1, windows server 2008 r2 sp1, windows 8.1, windows server 2012 r2, and windows rt 8.1. the flaw resides in how the operating system resolves dynamic link library dependencies during application execution, creating a privilege escalation vector through malicious dll injection. the vulnerability is categorized under cwe-427 untrusted search path which specifically addresses the improper handling of library search paths that can lead to arbitrary code execution. when an application attempts to load a dynamic link library without specifying a full path, the operating system searches through a predefined list of directories including the current working directory, which can be manipulated by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the principle of dll search order hijacking, where an attacker places a maliciously crafted dll file in the current working directory of a vulnerable application or in a directory that appears earlier in the search order. this technique leverages the operating system's default behavior of searching for required libraries in the current directory before examining system directories, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the target process. the vulnerability specifically impacts applications that dynamically load libraries without explicit path specification, enabling local users to escalate privileges from standard user level to system level access. this type of attack falls under the attack technique t1055 privilege escalation and more specifically t105501 dynamic link library injection within the mitre att&ck framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with persistent access to target systems and enables further exploitation activities. local users who can write to the current working directory of vulnerable applications can effectively compromise the entire system through this vector. the vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond placing the malicious dll file and does not require network connectivity or complex exploitation techniques. attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, steal sensitive information, or deploy additional malware payloads. the widespread adoption of affected windows versions makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it affects a large number of enterprise and consumer systems. organizations should implement strict directory permissions, monitor for suspicious dll loading activities, and ensure proper application deployment practices that avoid relying on untrusted search paths. the vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms that explicitly specify full paths to prevent unintended dll resolution behavior.