CVE-2018-0516 in Address Selection Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in FLET'S v4 / v6 address selection tool allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0516 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness within FLET'S v4/v6 address selection tool software. This flaw resides in the application's dynamic link library loading mechanism where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize the search path used to locate required DLL components. The vulnerability specifically affects the address selection functionality that operates across both ipv4 and ipv6 protocols, making it particularly concerning for network infrastructure applications. According to industry standards, this issue maps directly to CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which occurs when an application searches for files or libraries in directories that can be manipulated by attackers. The vulnerability is classified under the broader category of privilege escalation flaws that can be exploited through malicious code injection techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker places a malicious Trojan horse DLL in a directory that the FLET'S tool searches through during normal operation. Since the application does not properly restrict or validate the search path, the system will load the attacker-controlled DLL instead of the legitimate library, effectively allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the target application. This creates a dangerous scenario where an attacker can execute malicious code without requiring elevated privileges initially, as the application itself will load and execute the malicious component. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it leverages the trust model inherent in the application's design, where legitimate system components are expected to be loaded from specific directories. This attack vector is consistent with the techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0516 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire network infrastructure systems that rely on FLET'S address selection tools. Network administrators may face unauthorized access to critical routing and addressing functions, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, network disruption, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects systems where the FLET'S tool is installed and executed, particularly in enterprise environments where network addressing tools are frequently used for system configuration and management. The attack requires minimal privileges to execute successfully since the application itself performs the loading operation, making it a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access. Organizations using this software may experience cascading security failures if the compromised application has elevated privileges or access to sensitive network configuration data. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that it can be exploited remotely through various attack vectors, including file transfer protocols or network shares that the application may access during normal operation. This aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1036 Valid Accounts which can be leveraged to establish persistent access once the initial compromise occurs through the untrusted search path vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0516 should focus on implementing proper input validation and secure coding practices within the FLET'S application. System administrators should ensure that the application's search path is explicitly defined and restricted to trusted directories only, preventing the loading of unexpected DLL components. The recommended approach includes implementing absolute path specifications for all library dependencies and removing or restricting access to directories that may contain untrusted code. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unauthorized DLL loading activities. The vulnerability can be addressed through software updates from the vendor, though in some cases, administrators may need to apply workarounds such as modifying the application's execution environment or implementing additional security controls. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious DLL loading patterns and unauthorized modifications to system directories. According to industry best practices, this vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding principles and proper library loading mechanisms, particularly in network infrastructure applications where trust and security are paramount. The mitigation approach should align with the defense-in-depth strategy, combining multiple layers of protection to ensure comprehensive coverage against similar vulnerabilities in the future.