CVE-2017-2231 in Denshi Seikabutsu Sakusei Shien Kensa System
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in The installer of MLIT DenshiSeikabutsuSakuseiShienKensa system Ver3.02 and earlier, distributed till June 20, 2017, The self-extracting archive including the installer of MLIT DenshiSeikabutsuSakuseiShienKensa system Ver3.02 and earlier, distributed till June 20, 2017 allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2019
The CVE-2017-2231 vulnerability represents a critical untrusted search path flaw within the MLIT DenshiSeikabutsuSakuseiShienKensa system installer version 3.02 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects software distributed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in japan, which is used for electronic component creation support and inspection purposes. The flaw exists in the installer's handling of dynamic link library loading processes, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used to locate required executable components during the installation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the installer's improper handling of the windows dynamic link library search order. When the installer executes, it searches for required dll files in a predetermined sequence that includes the current working directory, user directories, and potentially attacker-controlled locations. This behavior aligns with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, where applications fail to properly validate or sanitize the paths from which they load dynamic libraries. The vulnerability allows an attacker to place a malicious DLL file in a location that will be searched before the legitimate system libraries, effectively enabling code injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it provides attackers with a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges initially. An attacker who can influence the installation process or gain write access to directories accessible to the installer can place a malicious DLL file that will be loaded and executed with the privileges of the installer process. This creates a persistent backdoor mechanism that can be used for system compromise, data exfiltration, or further attack escalation. The vulnerability affects systems that have not been updated since the distribution date of June 20, 2017, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that have not implemented proper patch management procedures. The attack pattern follows typical privilege escalation techniques documented in the mitre attack framework under the privilege escalation tactic, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through legitimate system processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2231 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of proper security controls. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of the MLIT DenshiSeikabutsuSakuseiShienKensa system where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict file permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized modification of installation directories. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that installation processes run with minimal required permissions. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious DLL loading activities. Security professionals should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual file creation patterns in system directories, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms, particularly in installer and system administration software, where improper implementation can lead to significant security implications.