CVE-2020-0570 in QT Library
Summary
by MITRE
Uncontrolled search path in the QT Library before 5.14.0, 5.12.7 and 5.9.10 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable elevation of privilege via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0570 represents a critical security flaw within the Qt library ecosystem that affects versions prior to 5.14.0, 5.12.7, and 5.9.10. This issue falls under the category of uncontrolled search path exploitation, a well-documented weakness that has significant implications for system security and privilege escalation capabilities. The Qt library serves as a fundamental framework for developing cross-platform applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given its widespread adoption across various software implementations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of library search paths during application execution. When Qt applications load dynamic libraries, the system searches through a predefined set of directories to locate required components. In vulnerable versions, the library resolution mechanism fails to properly validate or restrict the search path, allowing an authenticated user with local access to manipulate the library loading process. This flaw enables attackers to place malicious libraries in directories that are searched before legitimate system libraries, potentially causing the system to execute unauthorized code with elevated privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant attack surface for privilege escalation attacks. An authenticated user who can access the local system can exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges, potentially moving from a standard user account to a privileged administrative level. The attack vector requires local access but does not necessarily require network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local system access is possible. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable further attacks including data exfiltration, system compromise, and persistence mechanisms.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-427, which specifically addresses Uncontrolled Search Path Element, and represents a classic example of how improper library loading practices can create security weaknesses. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage application flaws to gain elevated system privileges. The threat model suggests that this vulnerability could be exploited by attackers who have already gained initial access to a system through other means, using this weakness to escalate their privileges and maintain persistent access.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of the Qt library, implementing proper library loading security controls, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of systems running affected software. Additional protective measures include restricting local system access, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious library loading activities. System administrators should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent unauthorized library loading attempts, particularly in environments where legacy applications may be running vulnerable versions of the Qt framework.