CVE-2018-16182 in MARKET SPEED
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer of MARKET SPEED Ver.16.4 and earlier allows an attacker 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-2018-16182 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness in the installer component of MARKET SPEED software version 16.4 and earlier. This flaw resides within the installer's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the search path used to locate required DLL files during the installation process. The issue stems from the installer's tendency to search for DLLs in predictable directories without implementing proper security controls to prevent loading of malicious code from unauthorized locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when an attacker places a malicious Trojan horse DLL in a directory that appears earlier in the system's search path than the legitimate software components. This allows the installer to inadvertently load the malicious code instead of the intended legitimate DLLs, creating a privilege escalation vector. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses situations where applications search for files in directories that may be manipulated by untrusted users. The flaw operates at the operating system level where the dynamic linker or loader resolves DLL dependencies, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited regardless of the specific installation environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the installer process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. This creates a pathway for attackers to install backdoors, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access to the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where software installation processes may be automated or executed with administrative privileges, as it can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components. The threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation through the use of installer-based attacks, and T1574 DLL Side-Loading which specifically targets untrusted search path vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16182 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to MARKET SPEED versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely implemented proper DLL loading mechanisms that validate file paths and prevent loading of untrusted libraries. System administrators should also implement security controls such as Windows Defender Application Control or similar application whitelisting solutions to restrict which DLLs can be loaded during installation processes. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that installation processes run with minimal required permissions, and directory permissions should be carefully audited to prevent unauthorized write access to installation directories. Network-level controls such as intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious installation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in installer components, aligning with industry standards that emphasize the need for secure software development lifecycle practices to prevent such path traversal and loading vulnerabilities.