CVE-2023-6891 in PeaZip
Summary
by MITRE • 12/17/2023
A vulnerability has been found in PeaZip 9.4.0 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality in the library dragdropfilesdll.dll of the component Library Handler. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. An attack has to be approached locally. Upgrading to version 9.6.0 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-248251. NOTE: Vendor was contacted early, confirmed the existence of the flaw and immediately worked on a patched release.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6891 resides within PeaZip version 9.4.0 and represents a significant security flaw in the dragdropfilesdll.dll library component. This issue falls under the category of uncontrolled search path vulnerability, which is classified as CWE-428 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability specifically affects the Library Handler component within PeaZip's architecture, where the application fails to properly validate or control the search paths used when loading dynamic link libraries. This flaw enables malicious actors to potentially inject arbitrary code or manipulate the application's behavior through carefully crafted file operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of library loading sequences within the dragdropfilesdll.dll module. When PeaZip processes file drag-and-drop operations, the application does not adequately sanitize the search path environment, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the library loading process. This weakness allows an attacker to place malicious DLL files in locations that are prioritized during the search process, leading to unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit, meaning an attacker must already have system-level privileges or physical access to the target machine, but the implications remain severe given the potential for privilege escalation or system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-6891 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that could enable more sophisticated attacks. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially bypass security controls, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access within the compromised system. The vulnerability's classification as a local attack vector means that while it may not be directly exploitable over networks, it remains dangerous in environments where attackers have already gained initial access or where the application runs with elevated privileges. This weakness could be particularly problematic in enterprise environments where PeaZip is used for file management and archive operations.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1546.008 (Accessibility Features) when exploited, as attackers could use the uncontrolled search path to load malicious code through legitimate system processes. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to PeaZip version 9.6.0, which includes patches addressing the search path handling issues. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and dynamic code analysis to detect potential malicious DLL loading activities. The vendor's prompt response and immediate release of a patched version demonstrates responsible disclosure practices and highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions to protect against known vulnerabilities.