CVE-2017-5236 in AppSpider Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Editions of Rapid7 AppSpider Pro installers prior to version 6.14.060 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 • 09/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5236 affects Rapid7 AppSpider Pro installer versions prior to 6.14.060, representing a critical preloading flaw that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code during the installation process. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of dynamic link library loading mechanisms within the installer executable, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by adversaries who gain access to the installation environment. The flaw specifically manifests when the installer attempts to load required DLL dependencies without specifying absolute paths, allowing attackers to place malicious libraries in the current working directory where the installer executes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with common preloading attack patterns documented in the cybersecurity community and maps directly to CWE-426, which describes the weakness of untrusted search path usage. When the vulnerable installer runs, it follows a predictable search order for DLL resolution that includes the current working directory before system directories, creating an opportunity for attackers to place malicious DLL files with the same names as legitimate dependencies. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of executable integrity and can be leveraged to achieve privilege escalation or code execution with the privileges of the installer process, which typically runs with elevated permissions during installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be exploited in various attack scenarios including supply chain compromises, targeted attacks against specific organizations, and automated exploitation campaigns. Attackers can craft malicious DLL files that mimic legitimate system components, potentially bypassing security controls that might otherwise detect suspicious executables. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the installation phase rather than the running application, meaning that successful exploitation can occur even when the target system has robust runtime protections in place. This makes the vulnerability especially dangerous for enterprise environments where software deployment processes may not be properly secured against such attacks.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Rapid7 AppSpider Pro version 6.14.060 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the preloading issue. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious DLL loading patterns and ensure that installation environments are properly secured against unauthorized file placement. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices for executable loading, including the use of absolute paths for library resolution and implementing proper DLL search path security measures. This case study reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing of installation processes and highlights how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks during software deployment operations.