CVE-2017-2242 in Setsuzoku Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Flets Setsuzoku Tool for Windows all versions allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2242 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within Flets Setsuzoku Tool for Windows across all supported versions. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source of dynamically loaded libraries. The vulnerability stems from the tool's improper handling of the Windows DLL search order, which allows an attacker to place a malicious Trojan horse DLL in a directory that the application will prioritize during execution. This behavior aligns with CWE-426, which specifically addresses the insecure loading of dynamic libraries, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector through malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker places a specially crafted DLL file in a directory that appears earlier in the Windows search path than the legitimate application directory. When Flets Setsuzoku Tool executes and attempts to load a required library, the system's DLL search mechanism will locate and execute the attacker-controlled DLL before any legitimate version. This creates a scenario where the malicious code runs with the privileges of the target application, potentially enabling elevation to SYSTEM level access depending on the application's execution context. The vulnerability operates under the principle of DLL hijacking as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059.001 for execution through dynamic link libraries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using Flets Setsuzoku Tool, particularly in environments where users may have local access to systems or where the application runs with elevated privileges. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only that an attacker gain write access to a directory in the search path, which could be achieved through various means including social engineering, compromised user accounts, or misconfigured system permissions. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise, as the malicious DLL could be designed to establish persistence mechanisms or exfiltrate sensitive data. Organizations utilizing this tool face potential exposure to lateral movement attacks, where compromised systems could serve as launch points for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2242 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper DLL loading practices by using the LoadLibraryEx function with the LOAD_WITH_ALTERED_SEARCH_PATH flag or by ensuring that applications load libraries from fixed, secure locations. System administrators should also implement strict directory permissions and audit access to directories in the search path, particularly those accessible to unprivileged users. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running applications with minimal required permissions and avoiding execution with administrative privileges when possible. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing process monitoring and behavioral analysis to detect anomalous DLL loading patterns, while industry standards like NIST SP 800-171 recommend comprehensive access control measures and secure coding practices to prevent such vulnerabilities from occurring in the first place.