Insecure DLL loading in ExifTool



| Updated: 2021-05-10
Risk Low
Patch available YES
Number of vulnerabilities 1
CVE-ID CVE-2018-20211
CWE-ID CWE-427
Exploitation vector Local
Public exploit N/A
Vulnerable software
 ExifTool
Universal components / Libraries / Libraries used by multiple products

Vendor ExifTool

Security Bulletin

This security bulletin contains one low risk vulnerability.

1) Insecure DLL loading

EUVDB-ID: #VU52994

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 4 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-20211

CWE-ID: CWE-427 - Uncontrolled Search Path Element

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to the application loads DLL libraries in an insecure manner. A local user can create a "%TEMP%\par-%username%\cache-exiftool-8.32" folder with a victim's username, and then place a malicious ws32_32.dll file into this new folder. the library is loaded with privileges of the victim user once the application is launched.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

ExifTool: 8.32

CPE2.3 External links

https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/150892/Exiftool-8.3.2.0-DLL-Hijacking.html
https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2018/Dec/44


Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.



###SIDEBAR###