CVE-2017-10821 in Kikan Toukei Houkoku Data Nyuryokuyou
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Installer for Shin Kikan Toukei Houkoku Data Nyuryokuyou Program (program released on 2013 September 30) Distributed on the website until 2017 May 17 allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
This vulnerability represents a classic untrusted search path issue that emerged in a Japanese financial data entry application distributed by a government agency. The flaw exists within the Installer component of the Shin Kikan Toukei Houkoku Data Nyuryokuyou Program, which was officially released on September 30, 2013, and remained available for download until May 17, 2017. The vulnerability stems from the installer's failure to properly validate or sanitize the search path used to locate dynamic link library files during the installation process, creating an exploitable condition that allows arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the installer processes DLL files without verifying their source or location within the expected installation directory. Attackers can place a malicious Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory that appears earlier in the system's search path, causing the installer to load and execute the malicious code instead of the legitimate library. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the dangerous practice of allowing external directories to influence program execution paths. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further system compromise within government infrastructure. The affected application's nature as a financial data entry tool for government use cases means that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive fiscal information, potentially affecting national financial reporting systems. The extended time frame between the program's release and the vulnerability's discovery period creates a significant risk surface, as the application likely remained in use throughout this period without proper security updates. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access financial records, modify data entries, or establish persistent access points within government networks that rely on this software for data processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate path sanitization measures, including implementing proper DLL search path validation and employing secure coding practices that avoid insecure path resolution. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all installations of this software and ensure proper patching or removal. The remediation process should include implementing the principle of least privilege for installation processes, utilizing application whitelisting solutions, and establishing strict controls over system PATH environment variables. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of installing software from untrusted sources and the importance of verifying software integrity through digital signatures and checksum validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure development practices and the need for regular security assessments of legacy software systems, particularly those handling sensitive government data.