CVE-2017-12252 in FindIT Network Discovery Utility
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Cisco FindIT Network Discovery Utility could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a DLL preloading attack, potentially causing a partial impact to device availability, confidentiality, and integrity. The vulnerability is due to the application loading a malicious copy of a specific, nondefined DLL file instead of the DLL file it was expecting. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing an affected DLL within the search path of the host system. An exploit could allow the attacker to load a malicious DLL file into the system, thus partially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the device. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve89785.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12252 affects the Cisco FindIT Network Discovery Utility, a tool designed to discover and inventory network devices within enterprise environments. This utility operates with elevated privileges and is commonly used by network administrators to map network topology and identify connected devices. The flaw represents a classic DLL preloading vulnerability that exploits the application's insecure dynamic link library loading mechanism. The vulnerability specifically stems from the application's failure to explicitly specify the path for loading required DLL files, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the dynamic loading process through the system's DLL search order.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the well-documented pattern of DLL preloading attacks where applications search for required libraries in a specific order including the current working directory before checking system directories. When an attacker places a malicious DLL file with the same name as a legitimate library that the FindIT utility expects to load, the system will execute the attacker's code instead of the intended library. This behavior directly maps to CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which describes how applications that search for libraries in untrusted locations can be exploited through path manipulation attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because the FindIT utility runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with administrative rights on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can compromise all three core security principles defined in the CIA triad. Confidentiality is at risk because the malicious DLL could intercept network traffic, capture credentials, or exfiltrate sensitive configuration data from the device. Integrity is compromised through the potential for code injection that could modify system behavior or corrupt application functionality. Availability is also threatened as the attacker could cause the application to crash or behave unpredictably, potentially disrupting network discovery operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious code, and T1574 DLL Side-Loading which specifically addresses the exploitation of insecure DLL loading mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Cisco has released patches addressing this issue in their FindIT utility, and organizations should immediately apply these updates to eliminate the risk. System administrators should also implement the principle of least privilege by running the FindIT utility with minimal required permissions rather than administrative rights. Additionally, implementing Windows Defender Application Control or similar application whitelisting solutions can prevent execution of unauthorized DLL files. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or unexpected DLL loading behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper DLL loading mechanisms, particularly for applications that operate with elevated privileges and handle sensitive network data. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect insecure DLL loading patterns in their software inventory, as this represents a persistent threat vector that affects many legacy applications.