CVE-2017-5176 in Automation Connected Components Workbench
Summary
by MITRE
A DLL Hijack issue was discovered in Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench (CCW). The following versions are affected: Connected Components Workbench - Developer Edition, v9.01.00 and earlier: 9328-CCWDEVENE, 9328-CCWDEVZHE, 9328-CCWDEVFRE, 9328-CCWDEVITE, 9328-CCWDEVDEE, 9328-CCWDEVESE, and 9328-CCWDEVPTE; and Connected Components Workbench - Free Standard Edition (All Supported Languages), v9.01.00 and earlier. Certain DLLs included with versions of CCW software can be potentially hijacked to allow an attacker to gain rights to a victim's affected personal computer. Such access rights can be at the same or potentially higher level of privileges as the compromised user account, including and up to computer administrator privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5176 represents a critical DLL hijacking flaw within Rockwell Automation's Connected Components Workbench software suite, specifically affecting both Developer Edition and Free Standard Edition versions up to v9.01.00. This vulnerability stems from improper dynamic link library loading mechanisms that allow attackers to place malicious DLL files in strategic locations where legitimate applications expect to find required libraries. The affected software includes various language editions such as English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese versions, making the exploit surface particularly broad across different user bases. The vulnerability operates under CWE-427, which classifies it as an uncontrolled search path element, a well-documented weakness that enables attackers to manipulate the execution flow of applications through malicious code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the Windows dynamic linking process where applications search for required DLL files in a specific order that includes the current working directory before system directories. When CCW applications launch, they attempt to load specific DLLs from the installation directory or current working directory, creating opportunities for attackers to place malicious versions of these DLLs in locations that will be prioritized during the loading process. This flaw allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the compromised application, potentially escalating to full system administrator rights. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges to exploit and can be triggered simply by having the affected software installed on a target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems and can serve as a foothold for further exploitation activities. Once an attacker successfully hijacks a DLL, they can execute malicious payloads that may include keyloggers, backdoor installation, or data exfiltration tools, all while operating under the legitimate application's context. This makes detection particularly challenging as malicious activities appear to originate from legitimate software processes. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to perform additional malicious actions within the compromised environment. The attack surface is further expanded by the widespread use of Rockwell Automation software in industrial control systems and manufacturing environments where such compromises could have severe operational and safety implications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5176 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-supplied patches and updates that address the DLL loading behavior in affected versions of CCW software. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies that restrict which DLLs can be loaded by applications, particularly in high-risk environments. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software within their networks and ensure proper file permissions are enforced on CCW installation directories. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious DLL loading patterns and implement security controls that prevent execution of DLLs from non-standard locations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper DLL search path management, which aligns with security frameworks such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and Microsoft's Security Development Lifecycle guidance. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, as the vulnerability can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges and gain administrative access to entire systems.