CVE-2016-4846 in Client Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer of PhishWall Client Internet Explorer before 3.7.8.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2020
The CVE-2016-4846 vulnerability represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the PhishWall Client Internet Explorer component prior to version 3.7.8.2. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of software installation and deployment flaws that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access. The PhishWall Client is designed to protect against phishing attacks by monitoring and analyzing web traffic, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could potentially allow attackers to compromise the security monitoring capabilities of affected systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the installer component of the software, which is responsible for the initial setup and configuration of the security client on target systems.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of the system search path during the installation process. When the PhishWall Client installer executes, it does not properly validate or sanitize the directories it searches for required libraries or components. This allows an attacker with local access to manipulate the search path by placing malicious executables or libraries in directories that are prioritized in the system PATH environment variable. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-428 - Untrusted Search Path, which is a well-documented weakness that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the installer process. The installer process typically runs with elevated privileges, making this vulnerability particularly severe as it could lead to privilege escalation attacks. Attackers can exploit this by placing a malicious DLL or executable in a directory that gets searched before legitimate system directories, causing the installer to execute the malicious code instead of the intended component.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be leveraged to compromise entire enterprise security infrastructures. Organizations deploying PhishWall Client software are at risk of having their security monitoring capabilities undermined if attackers can manipulate the installation process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where security tools are deployed centrally and the installer process may run with administrative privileges. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to install backdoors, keyloggers, or other malicious software that would remain undetected by the security monitoring system itself. Additionally, the vulnerability affects the integrity of the software installation process, potentially allowing attackers to modify the installed software to redirect traffic or disable security features. This creates a scenario where the very tool designed to protect against phishing attacks becomes a vector for more sophisticated attacks, undermining the fundamental security posture of affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4846 should focus on immediate patching of the PhishWall Client software to version 3.7.8.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the untrusted search path vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit who can execute installation processes on target systems. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual installation activities or the presence of unauthorized software components. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, making it a significant concern for security teams implementing threat hunting and incident response procedures. System administrators should also conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the PhishWall Client software and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent similar issues in the future. The remediation process should include verifying the integrity of the installation process through checksum validation and ensuring that only trusted sources are used for software deployment.