CVE-2017-10885 in SBI
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in HYPER SBI Ver. 2.2 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10885 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness affecting HYPER SBI version 2.2 and earlier implementations. This flaw resides in the software's dynamic link library loading mechanism where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the search path used to locate required DLL components. The vulnerability stems from the application's tendency to load DLLs from directories that are not properly secured or validated, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to place Trojan horse DLLs in strategic locations within the file system. According to CWE-427, this maps directly to an uncontrolled search path vulnerability where the software's search path includes directories that are not properly secured, allowing for potential code injection through maliciously placed libraries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker places a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate library that the vulnerable application expects to load. When the application executes and attempts to load the expected library, it inadvertently loads the attacker-controlled DLL from the compromised search path location. This privilege escalation occurs because the application's execution context typically runs with elevated privileges, and the malicious DLL can execute arbitrary code with those elevated permissions. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the current working directory or other system directories are included in the DLL search path without proper validation mechanisms. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as the malicious DLL can execute commands and scripts with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system configurations, or gain persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction for exploitation, often succeeding through simple file placement in directories that are part of the system's default search path. Organizations running affected versions of HYPER SBI face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential lateral movement within their networks, as the compromised system can serve as a foothold for further attacks. The vulnerability's impact is exacerbated by the fact that it can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, phishing, or direct system compromise, making it a particularly insidious threat to enterprise security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10885 must address the root cause of the untrusted search path issue through multiple defensive layers. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper DLL loading mechanisms that utilize absolute paths or secure search paths that exclude potentially compromised directories. System administrators should also implement strict file permission controls on directories that are part of the application's search path, ensuring that only authorized users can modify these locations. The use of application whitelisting solutions can prevent execution of unauthorized DLLs, while regular security audits should verify that no malicious DLLs exist in the system's search paths. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for application execution contexts can limit the damage that can occur even if exploitation succeeds, and regular patching of affected systems remains the most effective long-term solution to eliminate this vulnerability from the attack surface.