CVE-2024-4130 in App Store
Summary
by MITRE • 10/11/2024
A DLL hijack vulnerability was reported in Lenovo App Store that could allow a local attacker to execute code with elevated privileges.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4130 represents a critical DLL hijacking flaw within Lenovo App Store software that exposes systems to local privilege escalation attacks. This issue stems from improper dynamic link library loading mechanisms that allow malicious code execution with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system. The vulnerability exists in the application's loading behavior where it fails to properly validate or restrict the paths from which DLLs are loaded, creating an opportunity for attackers to place malicious libraries in strategic locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-426 category known as 'Untrusted Search Path', which specifically addresses the risks associated with insecure library loading practices that can be exploited by adversaries to inject malicious code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a local attacker to manipulate the application's search path by placing a specially crafted malicious DLL in a location that the App Store will load before the legitimate library. When the application executes and attempts to load a required DLL, the system's dynamic linker will first locate and execute the malicious version, thereby granting the attacker code execution privileges with the same elevation level as the legitimate application. This process typically involves leveraging the Windows DLL search order mechanism where the system checks several directories in a specific order, and if a malicious DLL is present in an earlier location, it will be loaded instead of the intended legitimate library. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows privilege escalation without requiring user interaction, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Lenovo App Store is deployed, as it enables attackers to gain elevated privileges on systems without requiring additional attack vectors or user compromise. The exploitation process typically requires only local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access or other attack vectors have been compromised. Organizations running affected versions of Lenovo App Store may experience unauthorized code execution, data exfiltration, or further system compromise through subsequent attacks leveraging the elevated privileges gained. The vulnerability's nature means that it could be exploited by various threat actors including insider threats, compromised accounts, or attackers who have already gained local access through other means.
Security mitigations for CVE-2024-4130 should focus on implementing proper DLL loading practices and restricting the application's search path to prevent unauthorized library loading. Organizations should ensure that Lenovo App Store is updated to versions that address this vulnerability through proper DLL validation mechanisms and secure library loading procedures. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies that restrict which DLLs can be loaded by the application, and consider using tools that monitor for suspicious DLL loading activities. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments of application loading behaviors and implementation of the principle of least privilege for application execution contexts. Additionally, monitoring for unusual DLL loading patterns and implementing proper access controls on system directories can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Local Port Scan' and related privilege escalation methods, making it a significant concern for organizations following the MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat analysis and defense planning.