CVE-2018-15974 in Framemaker
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Framemaker versions 1.0.5.1 and below have an insecure library loading (dll hijacking) vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
Adobe Framemaker versions 1.0.5.1 and earlier contain a critical insecure library loading vulnerability that falls under the CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element classification. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate the dynamic link library (dll) loading process by placing malicious libraries in directories that are searched before the legitimate system directories. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's ability to properly resolve library dependencies during runtime execution. When Framemaker attempts to load required dynamic libraries, it does not properly validate or restrict the search paths, enabling attackers to place malicious dll files in the application's working directory or other locations in the search order. This insecure library loading behavior creates a privilege escalation vector because the malicious code executes with the same privileges as the Framemaker application itself, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering or direct file manipulation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by placing specially crafted malicious dll files in directories where Framemaker expects to find legitimate libraries, such as the application installation directory or user-accessible locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level and can bypass standard security controls that might otherwise protect against code injection attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation techniques, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected versions to Adobe Framemaker 1.0.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for the insecure library loading behavior. Organizations should implement strict library loading policies and employ application whitelisting solutions to prevent unauthorized dll files from executing within the application environment. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits to identify and remove any malicious files that may have been placed in vulnerable directories, particularly in the Framemaker application installation paths. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper library loading security practices and highlights the need for applications to implement secure search path resolution using absolute paths or explicit library loading mechanisms. Additionally, implementing security controls such as Windows Defender Application Control or similar application control technologies can help prevent execution of unauthorized libraries even if the vulnerability is not immediately patched. Regular security assessments and monitoring of application behavior should be conducted to detect any anomalous library loading activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.