CVE-2018-14812 in Energy Savings Estimator
Summary
by MITRE
An uncontrolled search path element (DLL Hijacking) vulnerability has been identified in Fuji Electric Energy Savings Estimator versions V.1.0.2.0 and prior. Exploitation of this vulnerability could give an attacker access to the system with the same level of privilege as the application that utilizes the malicious DLL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-14812 represents a classic uncontrolled search path element issue that manifests as a DLL hijacking vulnerability within Fuji Electric Energy Savings Estimator software. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-427 category, which specifically addresses uncontrolled search paths, making it a well-documented weakness in software security architecture. The vulnerability affects versions V.1.0.2.0 and earlier, indicating that the software developers failed to implement proper DLL resolution mechanisms that would prevent loading of malicious code from unintended locations.
The technical flaw occurs when the application attempts to load dynamic link library files without properly specifying their full paths or without validating the source of the loaded libraries. This creates an opportunity for attackers to place malicious DLL files in directories that are searched before the legitimate application directories, a technique known as DLL hijacking. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level where the application is executing, meaning that if an attacker successfully places a malicious DLL in the search path, they can execute code with the same privileges as the vulnerable application. This privilege escalation capability makes the vulnerability especially attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a method to establish footholds within target environments while maintaining the same privilege level as the compromised application. This means that if the application runs with elevated privileges, the attacker gains those same elevated rights, potentially allowing access to sensitive system resources, data, or the ability to pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where such estimation tools might be installed with administrative privileges, creating a potential pathway for attackers to escalate their access and move laterally within the network infrastructure. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and script interpreters, as the hijacked DLL can be used to execute malicious payloads that leverage legitimate system processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper DLL search path controls and establishing secure coding practices that prevent uncontrolled library loading. Organizations should ensure that all applications are configured to use absolute paths when loading DLLs, and that the application's search path is properly constrained to prevent loading of unauthorized libraries. System administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies that restrict which DLLs can be loaded by specific applications, and regularly audit system directories for unauthorized DLL files that could be used for hijacking attacks. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date software versions and applying security patches promptly is crucial, as newer versions of the Fuji Electric Energy Savings Estimator would likely address this vulnerability through proper DLL resolution mechanisms. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices, which emphasize the need for proper input validation and secure library loading techniques to prevent such path traversal and library hijacking attacks from occurring in the first place.