CVE-2017-2272 in AttacheCase
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Self-extracting encrypted files created by AttacheCase ver.3.2.2.6 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-2017-2272 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness within AttacheCase version 3.2.2.6 and earlier implementations. This flaw specifically affects self-extracting encrypted files created using the AttacheCase software, creating a dangerous privilege escalation vector that adversaries can exploit through carefully crafted malicious components. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate the search path used when loading dynamic link libraries during the extraction process, allowing attackers to place malicious DLL files in directories that are searched before legitimate system locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-427, which describes uncontrolled search path dependencies where applications use predictable search paths that can be manipulated by attackers. When AttacheCase processes self-extracting encrypted files, it follows a specific execution flow that includes loading required DLL components from the file system. The software's design does not adequately sanitize or restrict the search path, enabling an attacker to position a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate component in a directory that gets searched prior to the intended system locations. This behavior creates a classic Trojan horse scenario where the attacker's malicious code is loaded and executed with the privileges of the victim process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise when the affected AttacheCase application runs with elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code within the security context of the targeted process, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently during normal file extraction operations, making detection difficult for security monitoring systems. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond the normal process of opening or extracting files, which makes it an attractive target for social engineering campaigns that could trick users into executing maliciously crafted encrypted archives.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK framework technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, as the privilege escalation could enable attackers to execute additional malicious payloads through various attack vectors. The remediation strategy should focus on updating to AttacheCase versions that properly implement secure search path handling and validate DLL loading operations. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and monitoring for unauthorized DLL placements in system directories, particularly those commonly searched by legacy applications. Additional mitigations include deploying application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unsigned or untrusted DLLs, implementing strict file system permissions, and conducting regular security audits to identify and remove potentially malicious components from system directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper validation of dynamic library loading operations in preventing privilege escalation attacks.