CVE-2023-3091 in Captura
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2023
** UNSUPPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** ** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** A vulnerability was found in Captura up to 8.0.0. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code in the library CRYPTBASE.dll. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. Attacking locally is a requirement. The complexity of an attack is rather high. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-230668. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3091 represents a critical security flaw in the Captura software version 8.0.0 and earlier, specifically targeting the CRYPTBASE.dll library component. This issue falls under the category of uncontrolled search path vulnerability, which occurs when an application searches for required libraries or components in predictable locations without proper validation. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal or search path manipulation flaw that can be exploited by local attackers to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code. The CRYPTBASE.dll library serves as a foundational cryptographic component that handles various security functions, making its compromise particularly dangerous for the overall security posture of affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of library loading mechanisms within the Captura application, where the software fails to validate or sanitize the search paths used to locate the CRYPTBASE.dll component. This flaw allows an attacker with local access to manipulate the system's library search order, potentially causing the application to load malicious code from unintended locations. The vulnerability requires local system access for exploitation, which means attackers must already have a foothold on the target system through other means such as credential compromise or privilege escalation. The attack complexity is rated as high due to the specialized nature of the exploit required and the need for precise manipulation of the system's dynamic link library resolution process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using unsupported software versions of Captura, as the software is no longer maintained or updated by its developers. The uncontrolled search path vulnerability creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks, where malicious actors could potentially elevate their privileges or inject malicious code into the system. The exploitation difficulty factor indicates that while the vulnerability exists, it requires substantial technical expertise to successfully exploit, but the potential impact remains severe given the cryptographic nature of the compromised component. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses the risk of applications using predictable search paths that can be manipulated by attackers.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows a pattern where an attacker first establishes local access to the target system, then carefully places a malicious version of CRYPTBASE.dll in a location that will be searched before the legitimate library. This approach leverages the Windows library loading mechanism, where the system searches for DLL files in a specific order, and if a malicious file is placed in an earlier search location, it will be loaded instead of the legitimate component. The attack requires knowledge of the specific search path behavior and careful timing to ensure successful exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, file integrity monitoring, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates or patches, though the vulnerability is in unsupported software versions. System administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized modifications to system directories where critical libraries are stored. The use of security tools such as endpoint detection and response systems can help identify suspicious library loading activities or attempts to manipulate search paths. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable applications and components that may be susceptible to similar search path manipulation attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust security practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in legacy systems. Security professionals should also consider the broader implications of supporting legacy software and develop strategies for phasing out unsupported applications to reduce the attack surface and eliminate exposure to known vulnerabilities.