CVE-2018-18364 in Ghost Solution Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite (GSS) versions prior to 3.3 RU1 may be susceptible to a DLL hijacking vulnerability, which is a type of issue whereby a potential attacker attempts to execute unexpected code on your machine. This occurs via placement of a potentially foreign file (DLL) that the attacker then attempts to run via a linked application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18364 affects Symantec Ghost Solution Suite versions prior to 3.3 RU1 and represents a critical DLL hijacking vulnerability that exposes systems to unauthorized code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of dynamic link library injection attacks and is classified as CWE-426 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The flaw stems from improper handling of dynamic link libraries within the application's loading mechanism, creating opportunities for malicious actors to place specially crafted DLL files in strategic locations where they can be loaded and executed by the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Ghost Solution Suite application searches for required dynamic link libraries in a predictable order without proper validation of the library source or authenticity. Attackers can exploit this by placing malicious DLL files in directories that are searched before the legitimate system directories, particularly in locations such as the current working directory or other paths that the application prioritizes during the loading process. This creates a scenario where the application loads the attacker-controlled DLL instead of the intended legitimate library, allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for further system compromise and lateral movement within networks. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where the Ghost Solution Suite is commonly used for system imaging and deployment operations, as these systems often have elevated privileges and access to critical network resources. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and script interpreter execution and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18364 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 3.3 RU1 or later, which addresses the improper DLL loading behavior through enhanced library validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement strict directory permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized DLL placement in critical application directories. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, enabling Windows Defender Application Control, and conducting regular security audits of system directories to detect unauthorized DLL files. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious file placement activities and unauthorized code execution attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing behavior monitoring tools that can detect anomalous DLL loading patterns and alert on potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading procedures, particularly in enterprise software solutions that handle system-level operations and require elevated privileges for their functionality.