JVN#72748502: Self-Extracting Archive files created by IExpress may insecurely load Dynamic Link Libraries

Self-extracting archive files created by IExpress provided Microsoft contain an issue with the DLL search path, which may lead to insecurely loading Dynamic Link Libraries (CWE-427).
Microsoft states that the root cause of this vulnerability is “Application Directory (App Dir) DLL planting” and attacks exploiting this vulnerability are limited, thus there is no plan to release any security updates to address this issue.

For details, refer to “Application Directory (App Dir) DLL planting” released by Microsoft.

Impact

Arbitrary code may be executed with the privilege of the user invoking a vulnerable self-extracting archive file.

Solution

Apply Workaround
Applying the following workarounds may mitigate the impacts of this vulnerability.

• Save self-extracting archive files into a newly created directory, and confirm there are no unrelated files in the directory then invoke the files.
• Make sure there are no suspicious files in the directory where self-extracting archive files are saved.

Products Affected

• Self-extracting archive files created by IExpress bundled with Microsoft Windows