CVE-2018-0620 in Game Software
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in LOGICOOL Game Software versions before 8.87.116 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-2018-0620 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness within LOGICOOL Game Software versions prior to 8.87.116. This flaw resides in the software's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the application fails to properly validate the source and integrity of dynamically loaded modules. The vulnerability stems from the software's reliance on a predictable search path that does not adequately sanitize the directories from which DLLs are loaded, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the pattern of DLL hijacking attacks where an attacker places a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate library in a directory that appears earlier in the system's search path. When the vulnerable LOGICOOL Game Software executes, it loads the attacker-controlled DLL instead of the legitimate one, thereby executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted user. This behavior aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the dangerous practice of allowing applications to load libraries from insecure directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the target system. Once executed, the malicious DLL can perform various malicious activities including keylogging, data exfiltration, or establishing backdoors. The vulnerability affects any user who has installed the vulnerable version of LOGICOOL Game Software, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where gaming software may be deployed across multiple systems. Attackers can exploit this through social engineering tactics, such as distributing infected software packages or compromising the installation directories through other attack vectors.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation tactics. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how application design flaws can create persistent security weaknesses that remain undetected for extended periods. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs to address this issue, as the fix requires updating to LOGICOOL Game Software version 8.87.116 or later. Additional mitigations include restricting write permissions to the software installation directories, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security audits of installed software to identify other potentially vulnerable applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper DLL loading mechanisms in preventing such attacks, particularly in consumer software that may be installed with elevated privileges by end users.