CVE-2026-16519 in GV-IP Device Utility
Summary
by MITRE • 07/24/2026
A DLL hijacking vulnerability exists in the GeoVision GV-IP Device Utility desktop application. The application loads one or more dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) from an unsafe search path, allowing a local attacker to place a malicious DLL in a location searched before the legitimate library location.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2026
This vulnerability represents a classic dll hijacking flaw that exploits insecure library loading practices within the GeoVision GV-IP Device Utility desktop application. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly specify library search paths, creating an environment where attacker-controlled code can be loaded ahead of legitimate system components. According to CWE-427, this vulnerability falls under the category of Uncontrolled Search Path Element, where applications inadvertently trust libraries loaded from insecure locations without proper validation. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only local system access, making it accessible to users with minimal privileges who can manipulate the application's environment through directory manipulation or file placement.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application searches for required dynamic-link libraries in a predetermined order that includes directories not properly secured by the application developer. The unsafe search path typically includes current working directory, user-writable locations, or other directories that attackers can control. When a legitimate library is requested but cannot be found in the expected secure locations, Windows will traverse the search path until it finds any matching DLL file, which may be maliciously crafted to exploit the application's execution context and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using GeoVision security equipment, as local attackers could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to networked devices. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be executed by placing a malicious DLL file in a location that will be searched before the legitimate library. This represents a low-effort, high-impact attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1574.001 for DLL Side Loading, where adversaries abuse legitimate system processes to execute malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can persist across system reboots and may be difficult to detect through standard security monitoring, as the malicious DLL appears to be a legitimate component of the application.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing secure library loading practices that comply with industry standards including proper use of LoadLibraryEx with appropriate flags, specification of full paths for all required libraries, and implementation of binary whitelisting mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that the application is configured to use safe search paths and that all directories in the search path are properly secured against unauthorized modifications. Additionally, system administrators should implement least privilege principles, restrict write access to application directories, and monitor for unusual DLL loading patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards, which emphasize the need for secure software development lifecycle processes to prevent such insecure library loading behaviors from being introduced into applications.