CVE-2017-10823 in Kinkyuji Houkoku Data Nyuryoku
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Installer for Shin Kinkyuji Houkoku Data Nyuryoku Program (program released on 2011 March 10) Distributed on the website till 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-2017-10823 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the Installer component of Shin Kinkyuji Houkoku Data Nyuryoku Program, a software application first released in March 2011 and distributed until May 2017. This flaw resides in the installer's handling of dynamic link library (dll) loading processes, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used to locate required libraries. The vulnerability manifests when the installer processes a malicious Trojan horse dll file placed in an unspecified directory, creating an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks. According to CWE-427, this represents a classic uncontrolled search path vulnerability where the software uses an untrusted path during library loading operations. The issue stems from the installer's failure to implement proper path validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to place malicious dll files in directories that are searched before the legitimate system paths, thereby enabling code injection and privilege elevation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise and persistent malware deployment. When an attacker successfully places a malicious dll in the compromised search path, the installer will execute the malicious code with the privileges of the user running the installer, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter execution, as the malicious dll execution can be leveraged to run arbitrary commands and establish persistence. The attack vector typically involves social engineering or supply chain compromise where the malicious dll is delivered as part of the legitimate software distribution or through compromised update mechanisms. The vulnerability affects systems where the installer is executed with elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges to gain administrative access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10823 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations should immediately patch or upgrade to versions that properly implement secure library loading practices, ensuring that the installer uses absolute paths for dll resolution rather than relying on potentially compromised search paths. The implementation of Windows Defender Application Control or similar application whitelisting solutions can prevent execution of unauthorized dll files, while proper file system permissions and access controls should be enforced to limit write access to installation directories. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary search paths and implementing strict path validation that checks for the presence of malicious or unexpected dll files in the search path. Additionally, network-based security controls such as intrusion prevention systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious file placement activities in directories commonly used in search path attacks. According to NIST SP 800-171 guidelines, proper system hardening practices including secure configuration management and regular security assessments should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of software supply chain security and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate untrusted search path issues in legacy applications.