CVE-2017-2286 in Port Software
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in NFC Port Software Version 5.5.0.6 and earlier (for RC-S310, RC-S320, RC-S330, RC-S370, RC-S380, RC-S380/S), NFC Port Software Version 5.3.6.7 and earlier (for RC-S320, RC-S310/J1C, RC-S310/ED4C), PC/SC Activator for Type B Ver.1.2.1.0 and earlier, SFCard Viewer 2 Ver.2.5.0.0 and earlier, NFC Net Installer Ver.1.1.0.0 and earlier allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2286 represents a critical untrusted search path flaw affecting multiple NFC (Near Field Communication) software components developed by Sony. This vulnerability impacts NFC Port Software versions 5.5.0.6 and earlier, including specific models such as RC-S310, RC-S320, RC-S330, RC-S370, RC-S380, and RC-S380/S, as well as older versions of PC/SC Activator for Type B, SFCard Viewer 2, and NFC Net Installer. The flaw stems from improper handling of dynamic link library (dll) loading mechanisms within these applications, creating opportunities for privilege escalation through malicious code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent trust placed by applications in their search paths for loading required libraries. When applications attempt to load dll files, they typically follow a predefined sequence of directories to locate these dependencies. The vulnerability occurs because the software does not properly validate or restrict the search path, allowing an attacker to place a malicious dll file in a directory that gets searched before the legitimate system directories. This creates a condition where the system loads the attacker-controlled dll instead of the intended legitimate library, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the running application. The vulnerability falls under CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the risk of attackers manipulating application search paths to load malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, particularly in environments where NFC devices are used for secure transactions or access control systems. An attacker with local access to a system running vulnerable software could elevate privileges from standard user level to system administrator level, depending on the application's execution context. This privilege escalation capability enables attackers to perform actions such as installing malware, modifying system files, accessing sensitive data, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects software components that are often installed with elevated privileges during NFC device setup and configuration processes. The attack vector is relatively simple, requiring only that an attacker can write to a directory in the application's search path, which is often possible in local user contexts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2286 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying vendor-provided patches and updates that address the specific search path handling issues in the affected software versions. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies to restrict which dll files can be loaded by the vulnerable applications, thereby preventing unauthorized code execution even if the search path vulnerability exists. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough directory permission reviews to ensure that user-writeable directories are not included in the application search paths for critical software components. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code, and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, since it directly facilitates privilege elevation. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual dll loading patterns can also provide early detection capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.