CVE-2017-10864 in Confidential File Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Installer of HIBUN Confidential File Viewer prior to 11.20.0001 allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10864 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the Installer component of HIBUN Confidential File Viewer software. This flaw exists in versions prior to 11.20.0001 and creates a significant security risk by allowing attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability stems from the installer's improper handling of dynamic link library (dll) loading mechanisms, specifically when searching for required components in the system path. When the installer processes certain operations, it does not properly validate or sanitize the search paths used to locate dll files, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to place Trojan horse dll files in directories that are searched before legitimate system locations. This behavior aligns with common software security weaknesses classified under CWE-426, which addresses the execution of untrusted code due to insecure search path handling. The vulnerability operates under the principle of path traversal and privilege escalation, where an attacker can manipulate the system's dll search order to load malicious code instead of legitimate components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to place a malicious dll file in a directory that will be searched by the installer process before the legitimate system directories. This typically involves positioning the malicious dll in a location that appears earlier in the system's PATH environment variable or in a directory that the installer explicitly searches. When the installer executes and attempts to load a required dll component, it will inadvertently load the malicious version instead of the legitimate one, thereby executing attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the installer process. The operational impact is particularly severe because the installer typically runs with elevated privileges, often as a system administrator or local administrator account, which means that successful exploitation can result in full system compromise. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, as the malicious dll remains in the compromised search path and will be loaded each time the installer is executed or when the system attempts to use the compromised component.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise and potential data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can establish persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, install additional malware, or access sensitive data stored within the system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the installer component, which may be executed during software installation, updates, or even routine system maintenance operations. Organizations using affected versions of HIBUN Confidential File Viewer face significant risk of unauthorized system access and potential data breaches. The attack vector aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and persistence domains, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through compromised installation processes. Remediation efforts should focus on updating to version 11.20.0001 or later, which includes proper validation of search paths and implementation of secure dll loading practices. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security audits to identify and remove any potentially compromised dll files and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to system directories. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in installer and system utility components, emphasizing the need for defense-in-depth strategies to protect against such path traversal and code injection attacks.