CVE-2018-5238 in Power Eraser
Summary
by MITRE
Norton Power Eraser (prior to 5.3.0.24) and SymDiag (prior to 2.1.242) may be susceptible to a DLL Preloading vulnerability, which is a type of issue that can occur when an application looks to call a DLL for execution and an attacker provides a malicious DLL to use instead. Depending on how the application is configured, it will generally follow a specific search path to locate the DLL. The vulnerability can be exploited by a simple file write (or potentially an over-write) which results in a foreign DLL running under the context of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5238 represents a critical DLL preloading flaw affecting Norton Power Eraser versions prior to 5.3.0.24 and SymDiag versions prior to 2.1.242. This weakness stems from improper DLL loading mechanisms within these security applications, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and code execution attacks. The vulnerability operates through a well-documented attack pattern that aligns with CWE-426, which specifically addresses the insecure loading of dynamic libraries. When these applications execute, they follow a predictable search path to locate required dynamic link libraries, but fail to properly validate or restrict the sources from which these libraries are loaded.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker places a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate library in a directory that the vulnerable application searches before the system directories. This allows the attacker to inject arbitrary code that executes with the privileges of the target application. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate application's trust relationship with the operating system, enabling the malicious code to run under the application's security context without triggering typical security alerts. The vulnerability essentially allows for a form of privilege escalation that can be achieved through simple file write operations, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5238 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to perform persistent modifications to the target system. Since these applications typically run with elevated privileges, successful exploitation can provide attackers with a foothold for further system compromise. The vulnerability affects applications that are commonly used for system maintenance and security diagnostics, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within a compromised environment. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous when considered within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, as it provides a direct pathway for attackers to gain higher-level system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected applications to version 5.3.0.24 for Norton Power Eraser and 2.1.242 for SymDiag, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for proper DLL loading behavior. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for suspicious file creation patterns in application directories and configuring proper file system permissions to prevent unauthorized DLL placement. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices around library loading and aligns with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and Microsoft's Secure Coding Guidelines. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unauthorized DLL loading activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.