CVE-2017-10822 in Sekiyu Yunyu Chousa Houkoku Data Nyuryoku
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Installer for Shin Sekiyu Yunyu Chousa Houkoku Data Nyuryoku 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10822 represents a classic untrusted search path issue affecting a data entry program developed by Shin Sekiyu Yunyu Chousa Houkoku for Japanese fuel station operations. This program, released in September 2013 and distributed until May 2017, contained a critical flaw in its dynamic link library loading mechanism that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application searches for required DLL files in a predictable sequence of directories without proper validation of the source or integrity of these libraries. This behavior creates an attack surface where an adversary can place a malicious Trojan horse DLL in a directory that gets searched before the legitimate system directories, effectively allowing privilege escalation through the execution of unauthorized code with the privileges of the targeted application.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which describes how applications that search for libraries or executables in a predictable path sequence without proper validation can be exploited by attackers who place malicious components in those search paths. The flaw operates under the principle that the program's loader does not properly verify the authenticity or source of dynamic libraries, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the same privileges as the legitimate application. This particular implementation likely involves the Windows API functions that resolve dynamic library dependencies, where the application's search path includes user-writable directories or directories that are not properly secured against unauthorized modifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data manipulation within the context of the targeted application's functionality. Attackers could leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive operational data related to fuel station transactions and inventory management. The vulnerability's persistence through multiple years of operation, from 2013 to 2017, indicates that the affected software may have been widely deployed in industrial or commercial environments where the consequences of successful exploitation could be significant. Organizations using this program would face risks including unauthorized data access, system takeover, and potential disruption of critical business operations within the fuel retail sector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10822 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to the latest version of the software where the vulnerability has been patched, as the original developers likely implemented proper DLL loading mechanisms that validate library sources or use secure search paths. System administrators should also implement strict directory permissions to prevent unauthorized modifications to application directories, particularly those containing executable code or libraries. Additional protective measures include deploying application whitelisting solutions that restrict which DLLs can be loaded by the application, implementing proper file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized DLL replacements, and conducting regular security assessments of legacy applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1055 Process Injection techniques, where adversaries leverage legitimate system processes to execute malicious code, making it essential for organizations to monitor for suspicious DLL loading activities and maintain comprehensive endpoint protection solutions.