CVE-2018-0619 in Glary Utilities
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer of Glarysoft Glary Utilities (Glary Utilities 5.99 and earlier and Glary Utilities Pro 5.99 and earlier) allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0619 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the installer component of Glarysoft Glary Utilities and Glary Utilities Pro versions 5.99 and earlier. This flaw resides in the installer's handling of dynamic link library (dll) loading processes, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used to locate required system components. The vulnerability stems from the installer's tendency to search for dll files in user-writable directories without adequate verification of the authenticity or integrity of the loaded modules.
This security weakness creates a privilege escalation vector that adversaries can exploit through a Trojan horse dll attack pattern. When the vulnerable installer executes, it searches through a predefined list of directories for required libraries, including paths that may be writable by unprivileged users. An attacker who can place a malicious dll with the same name as a legitimate library in one of these search paths can cause the installer to load and execute the malicious code with the privileges of the user running the installer. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the installation phase, where users may have elevated privileges, and the attacker only needs to compromise a single writable directory in the search path to achieve their objective.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0619 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the issue of applications searching for libraries in insecure directories. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through DLL hijacking and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the software installation lifecycle and represents a classic example of insecure library loading practices that have been documented in numerous security assessments and penetration testing reports.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require multiple layers of defensive measures to address the root cause. Software vendors should implement secure library loading practices by using absolute paths for dll resolution, employing proper dll loading APIs that enforce security checks, and implementing manifest files that specify trusted library locations. System administrators should monitor and restrict write permissions on directories included in the system search path, particularly those accessible to unprivileged users. Additionally, users should exercise caution when running installation packages from untrusted sources and ensure that their systems maintain up-to-date security patches. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software hardening practices and adherence to secure coding guidelines that prevent insecure library loading behaviors. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their software installation processes and implement automated tools to detect and prevent such insecure search path configurations.