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GHSA-7wh2-wxc7-9ph5

HighCVSS 8.2 / 10
Published Feb 8, 2024·Last modified Feb 16, 2024
Affected Components(0)

No affected components available

Description

Summary

.be TEMP folder is vulnerable to DLL redirection attacks that allow the attacker to escalate privileges.

Details

If the bundle is not run as admin, the user's TEMP folder is used and not the system TEMP folder. A utility is able to monitor the user's TEMP folder for changes and drop its own DLL into the .be/<bundle>.Local folder immediately when the .be folder is created. When the burn engine elevates, the malicious DLL receives elevated privileges.

PoC

As a standard, non-admin user:

  1. Monitor the user's TEMP folder for changes using ReadDirectoryChangesW
  2. On FILE_ACTION_ADDED, check if the folder name is .be
  3. Create a folder in .be named after the bundle + .Local (e.g. MyInstaller.exe.Local)
  4. Put the malicious COMCTL32.DLL in the .Local folder following the naming used for the real DLL (e.g. MyInstaller.exe.Local/x86_microsoft.windows.common-controls_.../COMCTL32.dll)
  5. Do hacker things when the engine escalates and the malicious DLL is loaded

Proper naming for the path can be obtained by using GetModuleHandle("comctl32.dll") and GetModuleFileName.

Impact

DLL redirection utilizing .exe.Local Windows capability. This impacts any installer built with the WiX installer framework.

Risk Scores
Base Score
8.2

The vulnerability requires local access to the device to be exploited. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker needs basic access or low-level privileges. The attacker needs the user to perform some action, like clicking a link. The vulnerability can affect other systems as well, not just the initial system. There is a high impact on the confidentiality of the information. There is a high impact on the integrity of the data. There is a high impact on the availability of the system.

Threat Intelligence
7.5

Exploitation activity has been observed. Apply available patches or mitigations urgently.

EPSS
0.24%

The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.

Exploit
Not available

We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.

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