CVE-2018-0649 in ESET Smart Security Premium
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installers of multiple Canon IT Solutions Inc. software programs (ESET Smart Security Premium, ESET Internet Security, ESET Smart Security, ESET NOD32 Antivirus, DESlock+ Pro, and CompuSec (all programs except packaged ones)) allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical untrusted search path issue affecting multiple Canon IT Solutions Inc. software products including ESET security solutions and DESlock+ Pro. The flaw exists within the installer components of these applications, where the installation process fails to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used to locate required dynamic link libraries. This weakness creates a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by malicious actors who place specially crafted Trojan horse DLL files in directories that are searched before legitimate system locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of library loading sequences during software installation. When the installer executes, it searches for dependent DLL files in a predetermined order that includes user-writable directories without proper validation of the file sources. This behavior aligns with CWE-426 which describes the weakness of allowing untrusted search paths to be used during program execution, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code. The vulnerability specifically affects the installation process rather than runtime execution, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during system setup or updates when elevated privileges are typically present.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the installing user, which often includes administrative rights. This creates a pathway for persistent threats to establish footholds within targeted environments, particularly in enterprise settings where these security products are commonly deployed. The vulnerability affects multiple products simultaneously, amplifying its potential impact across various security domains and making it attractive to threat actors seeking broad exploitation capabilities.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions and implementation of proper access controls on installation directories. Organizations should ensure that installation processes run with minimal privileges and that system PATH variables are properly configured to prevent unauthorized DLL loading. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the "DLL Search Order Hijacking" tactic. Security teams should implement monitoring for unusual installation activities and verify the integrity of installer components using digital signatures and checksum validation to prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and application whitelisting policies can help contain potential exploitation attempts by limiting where malicious DLL files can be placed within the system architecture.