CVE-2017-2212 in TKY2JGD
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in TKY2JGD (TKY2JGD1379.EXE) ver. 1.3.79 allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2212 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness affecting TKY2JGD software version 1.3.79, specifically within the TKY2JGD1379.EXE executable component. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library loading mechanism where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize the search path used to locate required DLL modules. The vulnerability stems from the application's tendency to load DLL files from arbitrary directories without proper verification of their authenticity or origin, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage for privilege escalation. The issue manifests when a malicious actor places a specially crafted Trojan horse DLL in a directory that appears earlier in the system's search order than the legitimate application directories, allowing the malicious code to execute with the privileges of the targeted application.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-426, which describes the weakness of untrusted search path, and aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through DLL side-loading and execution through malicious code injection. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with potential access to elevated privileges that the application normally operates under, potentially enabling further exploitation within the compromised system. The attack vector relies on the principle of path traversal and DLL loading order manipulation, where the attacker exploits the predictable nature of how Windows resolves DLL dependencies. This creates a persistent threat model where the malicious DLL can be loaded regardless of the application's intended execution path, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such applications may run with administrative privileges.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves placing a crafted malicious DLL file in a location that will be searched before the legitimate application directories, often leveraging common directories such as the current working directory or directories in the system PATH. The attack requires minimal user interaction and can be executed through social engineering or by compromising systems where the vulnerable application is installed. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper DLL loading practices such as using LoadLibraryEx with the LOAD_WITH_ALTERED_SEARCH_PATH flag, implementing application whitelisting policies, and ensuring that the application's search path is explicitly defined and secured. Organizations should also consider applying the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential exploitation and regularly audit their systems for vulnerable applications. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly when dealing with dynamic library loading operations, as outlined in various secure coding standards and best practices established by organizations such as the CERT/CC and OWASP.