CVE-2017-2175 in Empirical Project Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Empirical Project Monitor - eXtended all versions allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2175 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the Empirical Project Monitor eXtended software across all versions. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source and integrity of dynamically loaded components. The vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of library paths during runtime execution, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
This security weakness operates through a Trojan horse attack vector where an attacker places a malicious DLL file in a directory that the vulnerable application searches during execution. The software's default search order prioritizes user-writable directories without proper validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed with the privileges of the target process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely, requiring no local access to the system. According to CWE-427, this represents an uncontrolled search path that enables attackers to load malicious code from unintended locations, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques through DLL hijacking.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2175 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges from standard user accounts to system-level access, potentially enabling them to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt critical operations. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Empirical Project Monitor eXtended software, indicating a fundamental design flaw that was not properly addressed through version updates. The remote exploitation capability makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors as it can be deployed without physical access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of several security controls to prevent exploitation. System administrators should implement strict file permissions on directories containing application binaries, ensuring that only authorized users can write to these locations. The application should be configured to use absolute paths for all library dependencies rather than relying on default search paths. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the software to versions that properly validate library loading paths. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while endpoint detection and response solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious DLL loading activities. According to industry best practices, this vulnerability should be prioritized for immediate remediation as it provides a direct path to privilege escalation and system compromise.