CVE-2022-28792 in Gear IconX PC Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2022
DLL hijacking vulnerability in Gear IconX PC Manager prior to version 2.1.220405.51 allows attacker to execute arbitrary code. The patch adds proper absolute path to prevent dll hijacking.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28792 represents a critical dll hijacking flaw in the Gear IconX PC Manager software prior to version 2.1.220405.51. 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 framework. The issue stems from the application's improper handling of dynamic link library loading mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate the software's execution flow through strategic placement of malicious dll files in the application's search path.
The technical flaw manifests when the Gear IconX PC Manager application attempts to load dynamic link libraries without specifying absolute paths. This behavior creates a predictable attack surface where an attacker can place a malicious dll file with the same name as a legitimate library in a directory that appears earlier in the system's dll search order. The vulnerability exploits the default Windows dll search behavior where the system searches for libraries in the following order: the directory from which the application loaded, the system directory, the windows directory, and then directories listed in the PATH environment variable. When the application fails to specify absolute paths for dll loading, it becomes susceptible to this type of attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems. An attacker could potentially install a malicious dll file in a location that would be searched before the legitimate library, effectively replacing the intended functionality with malicious code. This arbitrary code execution capability provides attackers with the ability to install malware, modify system configurations, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a pc manager application that likely runs with elevated privileges, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks.
The security patch implemented for this vulnerability addresses the root cause by enforcing proper absolute paths for all dll loading operations. This fix aligns with the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices recommended by the software security community. The solution prevents the application from relying on the default dll search behavior by explicitly specifying full paths to required libraries, thereby eliminating the possibility of dll hijacking attacks. This approach also conforms to the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for technique T1574.001 which focuses on avoiding DLL hijacking through proper path specification. Organizations should ensure immediate deployment of version 2.1.220405.51 or later to remediate this vulnerability and protect against potential exploitation attempts. The patch demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in preventing dll hijacking attacks and reinforces the necessity of proper library loading mechanisms in software development processes.