CVE-2017-2208 in Electronic Tendering
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Installer of Electronic tendering and bid opening system available prior to June 12, 2017 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code via a specially crafted executable file in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2208 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness within the installer component of an electronic tendering and bid opening system. This flaw existed in versions of the software released prior to June 12, 2017, creating a window of exposure where attackers could exploit the insecure installation process to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The vulnerability stems from the installer's failure to properly validate or sanitize the search path used during software installation, allowing malicious actors to place crafted executable files in directories that the installer would subsequently traverse and execute without proper verification.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-426, which describes untrusted search path conditions where applications execute programs from directories that are not properly validated. The installer component of the electronic tendering system demonstrates poor privilege separation and insecure coding practices by not implementing proper path validation or by using insecure default paths that could be manipulated by attackers. The unspecified directory mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests that the installer was configured to search in multiple locations, including potentially writable directories that could be compromised by malicious actors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations conducting electronic tendering processes, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems during the installation phase of the software. The attack vector typically involves placing a malicious executable with the same name as a legitimate component in a directory that the installer will process, leading to privilege escalation and potential system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in tendering environments where system integrity and data security are paramount, as it could enable attackers to manipulate the bidding process or gain access to sensitive procurement information.
The impact of CVE-2017-2208 extends beyond simple code execution, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and compromise the entire tendering infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation. Organizations using this software were particularly vulnerable during the installation phase, as the attack could be executed with minimal user interaction and could bypass traditional security controls that might not be active during the installation process. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure software development practices and proper input validation in installer components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the software to the version released after June 12, 2017, which presumably addressed the untrusted search path issue. System administrators should also implement proper directory permissions and ensure that installation directories are not writable by unprivileged users. Additional protective measures include deploying application whitelisting solutions, monitoring installation processes for suspicious activity, and conducting regular security assessments of the tendering system. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly in installation and update mechanisms where attackers can manipulate the execution environment. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to tendering systems and establish proper change control processes to prevent unauthorized modifications to installation components.