CVE-2018-16176 in Mapping Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in Installer of Mapping Tool 2.0.1.6 and 2.0.1.7 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16176 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the Installer component of Mapping Tool versions 2.0.1.6 and 2.0.1.7. This flaw resides in the installer's dynamic link library loading mechanism, which fails to properly validate the source and integrity of dynamically loaded modules. The vulnerability manifests when the installer processes a Trojan horse DLL file placed in an unspecified directory that is part of the system's search path. This behavior directly aligns with CWE-427, which describes uncontrolled search path dependencies, and CWE-428, which addresses untrusted search path vulnerabilities. The installer's failure to sanitize or verify the absolute paths of loaded libraries creates an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate the execution flow by placing malicious DLLs in directories that are searched before legitimate system locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers exploiting this weakness can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard security controls and user access restrictions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that adversaries can leverage network-based attacks to deliver malicious payloads without requiring physical access to the target system. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The installer's behavior creates a persistent backdoor opportunity where attackers can maintain long-term access to compromised systems. The unspecified directory mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests a lack of proper path validation or a broad search path configuration that includes writable user directories, making exploitation more likely and less dependent on specific system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16176 should focus on implementing proper path validation and secure coding practices within the installer component. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of Mapping Tool where available, as the vulnerability affects multiple versions and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the installer's security architecture. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits to identify and remove any instances of the vulnerable software from production environments. The implementation of Windows Defender Application Control or similar application whitelisting solutions can provide additional protection against unauthorized DLL loading. Security configurations should enforce strict path validation and avoid including user-writable directories in the system search path. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper software supply chain security measures, as described in NIST SP 800-161, which addresses protecting against malicious code injection. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection mechanisms and monitoring for unusual DLL loading patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of installer components and their handling of dynamic library loading to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components.