CVE-2025-24482 in FactoryTalk View Site Edition
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2025
A Local Code Injection Vulnerability exists in the product and version listed above. The vulnerability is due to incorrect default permissions and allows for DLLs to be executed with higher level permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical local code injection flaw that exploits improper default permissions within the affected system. The issue stems from insufficient access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the system's dynamic link library loading process, enabling malicious code to run with higher level permissions than intended. This type of weakness falls under the CWE-276 category, which specifically addresses improper default permissions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it leverages the system's trust in default configurations to bypass security controls that should prevent unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the system's default permission model where dynamic libraries are loaded with insufficient access restrictions. When the application or system attempts to load DLLs, it does so without proper validation of the library's source or integrity, creating an opportunity for malicious DLLs to be loaded and executed with elevated privileges. This flaw typically occurs when the system's security context is not properly enforced during the DLL loading process, allowing attackers to place malicious libraries in directories that are automatically searched during application execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where applications run with administrative privileges or where the system's security model relies on the assumption that default paths contain only trusted code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, gain persistent access, and potentially move laterally within a network environment. The vulnerability's local nature means that exploitation typically requires physical access or initial compromise of a user account, but once exploited, it can provide attackers with elevated system privileges. This weakness is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where default configurations may be shared across multiple systems, potentially affecting numerous endpoints simultaneously. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for other exploitation techniques, as it provides a foundation for more sophisticated attacks that rely on elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the root cause of improper default permissions while maintaining system functionality. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper access controls and privilege separation during DLL loading processes, ensuring that libraries are loaded from secure directories with appropriate access restrictions. System administrators should enforce the principle of least privilege by configuring applications to run with minimal required permissions and by implementing secure default configurations that prevent unauthorized code execution. Additional protective measures include enabling Windows Defender Application Control or similar application whitelisting solutions, implementing proper file system permissions, and conducting regular security audits to identify and remediate improper default configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that detect unauthorized DLL loading attempts and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The mitigation approach should align with security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and should incorporate regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar permission-related weaknesses throughout the system infrastructure.