CVE-2019-25268 in BEopt
Summary
by MITRE • 01/08/2026
NREL BEopt 2.8.0.0 contains a DLL hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to load arbitrary libraries by tricking users into opening application files from remote shares. Attackers can exploit insecure library loading of sdl2.dll and libegl.dll by placing malicious libraries on WebDAV or SMB shares to execute unauthorized code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2026
The CVE-2019-25268 vulnerability resides within NREL BEopt version 2.8.0.0, a software tool used for building energy optimization and modeling. This particular flaw represents a critical DLL hijacking vulnerability that exploits insecure library loading practices within the application's runtime environment. The vulnerability specifically affects the loading mechanisms of two critical dynamic link libraries: sdl2.dll and libegl.dll, which are essential components for the software's graphical and rendering capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic insecure library loading attack vector where the application fails to properly specify the absolute path for dynamically loaded libraries. When users open application files from remote network shares such as WebDAV or SMB servers, the system's DLL search order mechanism allows malicious libraries to be loaded before legitimate ones. This insecure search order behavior enables attackers to place specially crafted malicious DLL files with identical names on remote shares, causing the vulnerable application to execute unauthorized code when it attempts to load the required libraries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent means of gaining unauthorized access to systems running the affected software. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond opening files from network shares, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently access remote resources. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1134 category for Access Token Manipulation and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables initial access and subsequent code execution. Furthermore, this vulnerability maps to CWE-426, which specifically addresses Untrusted Search Path vulnerabilities where applications search for libraries in insecure locations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting user access to network shares, implementing strict network segmentation policies, and configuring the application's execution environment to use absolute paths for library loading. The recommended approach involves deploying application whitelisting solutions and ensuring that the vulnerable application is not executed with elevated privileges. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for suspicious WebDAV and SMB traffic patterns, while system administrators should consider updating to patched versions of NREL BEopt or implementing temporary workarounds such as disabling remote file access for the application. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper library loading mechanisms, particularly in applications that handle sensitive energy modeling data and operate in enterprise environments where network shares are commonly accessed.