CVE-2017-9644 in WebCTRL
Summary
by MITRE
An Unquoted Search Path or Element issue was discovered in Automated Logic Corporation (ALC) ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu, SiteScan Web 6.5 and prior; ALC WebCTRL, SiteScan Web 6.1 and prior; ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu 6.0 and prior; ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu, SiteScan Web 5.5 and prior; and ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu, SiteScan Web 5.2 and prior. An unquoted search path vulnerability may allow a non-privileged local attacker to change files in the installation directory and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9644 represents a critical security flaw in multiple versions of Automated Logic Corporation's WebCTRL, i-Vu, and SiteScan Web software products. This issue manifests as an unquoted search path or element vulnerability that affects versions 6.5 and earlier, 6.1 and earlier, 6.0 and earlier, 5.5 and earlier, and 5.2 and earlier of the respective software suites. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of environment variables and search paths during software execution, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how the affected software applications process command-line arguments and environment variables when searching for required executables or libraries. When a program's search path contains spaces and is not properly quoted, the operating system will search through directories in the path sequentially until it finds a matching executable. This behavior creates opportunities for attackers to place malicious executables in directories that are searched before the legitimate software components, effectively allowing code injection at runtime. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-178, which specifically addresses the issue of unquoted search paths in Windows environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides a non-privileged local attacker with the ability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the target system. The attacker can exploit this weakness by placing malicious binaries in directories that are part of the application's search path, knowing that the system will execute these binaries when the application attempts to load required components. This privilege escalation capability can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the affected environment. The vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems and building automation environments where these ALC products are commonly deployed.
Organizations utilizing affected ALC software products face substantial risk from this vulnerability, as it can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or external attack vectors. The exploitation process typically involves identifying the vulnerable software installation directory structure, creating malicious executables with names that match expected application components, and placing these binaries in strategic locations within the search path. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and represents a common attack pattern used in lateral movement and system compromise scenarios. The affected systems are particularly vulnerable in environments where multiple users have access to the system or where administrative privileges are not properly restricted.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9644 should focus on implementing proper path quoting during software installation and configuration. System administrators should ensure that all environment variables containing paths with spaces are properly quoted to prevent the operating system from performing unintended directory searches. The recommended approach includes updating to the latest available versions of ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu, and SiteScan Web software, as vendors typically release patches addressing such vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, restricting local user privileges, and conducting regular security assessments of installed software can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual file creation patterns in application directories can also help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized executables from running on systems where these vulnerable applications are installed.