CVE-2017-2252 in File Compact
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Self-extracting archive files created by File Compact Ver.5 version 5.09 and earlier, Ver.6 version 6.01 and earlier, Ver.7 version 7.01 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2252 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting File Compact versions 5.09 and earlier, 6.01 and earlier, and 7.01 and earlier. This flaw exists within the self-extracting archive functionality of the software, creating a dangerous privilege escalation vector through malicious DLL injection. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of dynamic library loading during the extraction process, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize the search path used to locate required DLL files. When a user executes a self-extracting archive, the application searches through a predefined set of directories in a specific order without adequate verification of the source or authenticity of loaded modules. This behavior directly aligns with CWE-426, which describes the improper handling of untrusted search paths that can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass full system compromise when attackers exploit the insecure search path mechanism. An attacker who gains the ability to place a malicious DLL in an unspecified directory that will be searched by the vulnerable File Compact application can effectively execute code with the privileges of the victim user. This presents a particularly dangerous scenario because the self-extracting archive functionality is commonly used for legitimate software distribution, making the attack surface more extensive than typical privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics where users unknowingly execute compromised archives, or through direct compromise of system directories. The attack vector operates under the ATT&CK framework as T1059.001 for command and script interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, with the initial compromise occurring through the execution of a malicious self-extracting archive.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2252 require immediate remediation through software updates to versions that properly implement secure search path handling and dynamic library loading. Organizations should implement strict directory permissions and monitoring to prevent unauthorized DLL placement in system directories that the vulnerable application might search. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting write access to directories containing application binaries and their dependencies. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of executing unknown or untrusted self-extracting archives, particularly those received through email or downloaded from unverified sources. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of File Compact versions containing this vulnerability, and regular security audits should verify that no vulnerable versions remain in production environments. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in handling dynamic library loading, where applications should always specify full paths to required modules or implement proper validation of module sources before loading. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for suspicious DLL loading patterns and unauthorized modifications to system directories that could indicate exploitation attempts.