CVE-2017-5232 in Nexpose
Summary
by MITRE
All editions of Rapid7 Nexpose installers prior to version 6.4.24 contain a DLL preloading vulnerability, wherein it is possible for the installer to load a malicious DLL located in the current working directory of the installer.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5232 represents a critical DLL preloading flaw affecting Rapid7 Nexpose installer versions prior to 6.4.24. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of dynamic link library loading sequences during the installation process, creating a path for malicious code execution through crafted DLL files placed in the installer's working directory. The flaw specifically manifests when the installer attempts to load required libraries without explicitly specifying their full paths, allowing attackers to manipulate the loading order by placing malicious DLLs in the same directory as the installer executable. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-426 category of Untrusted Search Path, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices where applications fail to properly validate or sanitize the paths from which they load external libraries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a means to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the installer. When an unsuspecting user executes a compromised installer, the system loads the malicious DLL in place of the legitimate library, potentially allowing for privilege escalation to system level access. Attackers can exploit this weakness by placing a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate library that the installer expects to load, effectively hijacking the installation process. This type of attack aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1106 for execution through legitimate system processes, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where administrators might execute installers from untrusted locations or shared network drives.
The security implications of this vulnerability are significant for organizations relying on Rapid7 Nexpose for vulnerability management and security assessment. System administrators who download and execute installers from untrusted sources or network shares become vulnerable to this attack vector, as the installer's behavior can be manipulated by placing malicious libraries in the working directory. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where users might execute installers from network drives or shared directories, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries with access to these locations. Organizations should note that this vulnerability was specifically addressed in Rapid7 Nexpose version 6.4.24, which implemented proper DLL loading mechanisms that explicitly specify library paths and use secure loading practices. The fix for this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as using LoadLibraryEx with the LOAD_WITH_ALTERED_SEARCH_PATH flag or explicitly specifying full paths to prevent unintended library loading from untrusted directories.