CVE-2017-2269 in FileCapsule Deluxe Portable
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in FileCapsule Deluxe Portable Ver.2.0.9 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-2017-2269 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting FileCapsule Deluxe Portable version 2.0.9 and earlier. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source and integrity of dynamically loaded modules. The vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of the Windows DLL search order, which allows an attacker to place a malicious Trojan horse DLL in a directory that the application searches before system directories, thereby enabling privilege escalation through arbitrary code execution. This issue directly maps to CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which describes how applications fail to properly control the search path used to locate dynamically linked libraries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when FileCapsule Deluxe Portable executes with elevated privileges and processes user input or file operations that trigger the loading of external libraries. Attackers can place a specially crafted malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate library that the application expects to load, typically in a directory that appears earlier in the search path. When the application attempts to load the legitimate library, it inadvertently loads the attacker-controlled DLL instead, allowing the malicious code to execute with the privileges of the running process. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1546.008 DLL Side-Loading, where adversaries leverage legitimate system processes to execute malicious code while avoiding detection mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2269 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data compromise and system persistence. Since FileCapsule Deluxe Portable likely handles sensitive user data and may run with administrative privileges, successful exploitation could allow attackers to access encrypted files, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects systems where users have the ability to place files in directories that the application searches, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when the application is installed in writable locations. Organizations using this software face significant risk of lateral movement within their networks, as the compromised application could serve as a foothold for broader attacks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond normal application usage, making it particularly stealthy and difficult to detect through traditional user behavior monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2269 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to FileCapsule Deluxe Portable version 2.0.10 or later, where the application properly implements secure library loading mechanisms. Organizations should also implement strict file system permissions to prevent unauthorized users from placing files in directories that the application searches. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting solutions such as Windows AppLocker can prevent execution of unauthorized DLLs, while monitoring for suspicious DLL loading activities through event logging and security information and event management systems can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms in preventing privilege escalation attacks.