CVE-2018-0544 in WinShot
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in WinShot 1.53a and earlier (Installer) allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0544 represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting WinShot versions 1.53a and earlier installer components. This flaw resides in the installer's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the search path used to locate required DLL files during installation processes. The vulnerability stems from the installer's tendency to search for DLL dependencies in predictable system locations without adequate verification of file authenticity or source integrity.
This security weakness creates a privilege escalation vector through Trojan horse DLL injection techniques, where an attacker can place a malicious DLL file in a directory that gets searched before legitimate system directories. The installer's behavior of loading DLLs from the current working directory or other user-controllable locations without proper path validation enables attackers to substitute legitimate DLLs with malicious counterparts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at installation time when the system typically runs with elevated privileges, allowing successful exploitation to result in system compromise with administrative rights.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0544 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise and persistent backdoor establishment. When an attacker successfully places a malicious DLL in the search path, the installer will execute the malicious code with the privileges of the user running the installation process. This scenario aligns with CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path vulnerabilities which specifically address the dangers of allowing applications to load code from untrusted directories. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that installation processes often run with elevated privileges, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to adversaries seeking persistent access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in various threat actor methodologies and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation through DLL injection. Attackers typically leverage this weakness by placing malicious DLLs in directories that are searched before system directories, such as the current working directory or other locations that are not properly secured. The vulnerability's persistence mechanism allows for long-term access and can be combined with other attack vectors to maintain control over compromised systems. Organizations should note that this vulnerability affects the installer component specifically, meaning that exploitation typically occurs during the installation or update process rather than runtime operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0544 should focus on immediate remediation through patching the WinShot installer to version 1.54 or later, which addresses the untrusted search path issue. System administrators should implement proper directory permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized DLL placement in system directories. The principle of least privilege should be enforced during installation processes, limiting the privileges of the installation context to only those required for legitimate operation. Additionally, organizations should deploy application whitelisting solutions that restrict which DLLs can be loaded by the WinShot installer, effectively preventing malicious DLL injection attacks. Regular security audits of installed software and their installation processes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the enterprise environment.