CVE-2017-5233 in AppSpider Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Rapid7 AppSpider Pro installers prior to version 6.14.053 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5233 represents a critical DLL preloading flaw within Rapid7 AppSpider Pro installers version 6.14.053 and earlier. This issue stems from the installer's improper handling of dynamic link library loading sequences, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute malicious code through crafted DLL files placed in the same directory as the installer executable. The vulnerability specifically affects the installer's loading mechanism, which does not properly validate or restrict the paths from which DLLs can be loaded, thereby exposing the system to potential code injection attacks.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-426, known as "Untrusted Search Path," which describes a weakness where an application searches for libraries or executables in directories that can be manipulated by attackers. The flaw occurs because the installer's dynamic loading process does not implement proper security measures to prevent loading of DLLs from untrusted locations, particularly the current working directory. The attacker can simply place a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate dependency in the same directory as the installer, and when the installer executes, it will load the malicious version instead of the legitimate one.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows for arbitrary code execution during the installation process, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, install backdoors, or perform other malicious activities. Since the vulnerability exists during installation, it can be exploited even when the target system is running in a secure environment, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where software installation processes are frequent. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond the execution of the installer, making it a high-risk vulnerability for organizations that may not have strict control over their software installation processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the Rapid7 AppSpider Pro installer to version 6.14.053 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly resolve the DLL loading issue. Organizations should also implement strict software installation policies that prevent execution of installers from untrusted directories and consider using application whitelisting solutions to restrict which executables can run on the system. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell", as attackers may use PowerShell to execute malicious code during installation, though the primary vector here is the DLL preloading itself. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper DLL search path security measures, which can be addressed through techniques such as setting the LOAD_LIBRARY_SEARCH_* flags in Windows applications or using the SetDllDirectory API to control DLL loading behavior. The vulnerability also highlights the broader security principle of defense in depth, as proper implementation of secure coding practices could have prevented this issue from manifesting in the first place, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of installation processes.