CVE-2024-28131 in EasyRange
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2024
EasyRange Ver 1.41 contains an issue with the executable file search path when displaying an extracted file on Explorer, which may lead to loading an executable file resides in the same folder where the extracted file is placed. If this vulnerability is exploited, arbitrary code may be executed with the privilege of the running program. Note that the developer was unreachable, therefore, users should consider stop using EasyRange Ver 1.41.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28131 affects EasyRange version 1.41 and represents a critical path traversal and privilege escalation issue that stems from improper executable file search path handling. This flaw exists within the application's file extraction and exploration functionality, creating a dangerous condition where the software attempts to display extracted files through the Windows Explorer interface. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes compressed files and subsequently launches the Windows Explorer to display the extracted content, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the execution path when launching external processes. When EasyRange extracts files to a temporary directory or user-specified location, it does not adequately control the search path that Windows Explorer uses to locate and execute associated binaries. This creates a condition where an attacker can place a malicious executable file in the same directory as the extracted file, and when the application attempts to display the file, it will inadvertently execute the malicious binary instead of the intended legitimate file. The vulnerability specifically exploits the Windows search path resolution mechanism, which by default includes the current working directory in the executable search order.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28131 is severe and potentially devastating for affected systems. An attacker who gains the ability to place files in the same directory as extracted content can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running EasyRange process, which typically runs with user-level privileges but could potentially be elevated. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548.002 Abuse of Windows Admin privileges, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized code execution and potentially escalate their access within the compromised system. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond the normal file extraction process, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently extract compressed files from untrusted sources.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack vector that leverages the trust relationship between the application and the operating system's file resolution mechanisms. When EasyRange displays extracted files in Windows Explorer, it implicitly trusts that the system will resolve paths correctly without considering potential malicious interference. This trust model is fundamentally flawed because it does not account for the possibility that an attacker could manipulate the file system environment to place malicious executables in the same directory as legitimate files. The vulnerability represents a critical oversight in the application's security design, as it fails to implement proper path validation or isolation mechanisms that would prevent such dangerous path resolution behaviors.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately cease using EasyRange version 1.41 due to the lack of vendor response and the critical nature of the flaw. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict file system access controls that prevent unauthorized file placement in directories where extracted files might be processed, deploying application whitelisting solutions to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries, and applying network-level controls to prevent access to untrusted file sources. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing process monitoring to detect suspicious execution patterns and establish regular security audits to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing path traversal attacks, particularly in applications that interact with the operating system's file management capabilities.