CVE-2017-5236 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Rapid7 AppSpider Pro versions prior to 6.14.060 are vulnerable to DLL preloading, allowing the loading of malicious DLLs from the installer's directory.

Understanding CVE-2017-5236

Versions of Rapid7 AppSpider Pro installers before 6.14.060 have a DLL preloading vulnerability, potentially loading harmful DLLs from the same directory.

What is CVE-2017-5236?

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Rapid7 AppSpider Pro installers, enabling the loading of malicious DLLs from the installer's working directory.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5236

The vulnerability poses a security risk as it allows the installer to load potentially harmful DLLs, compromising system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5236

Rapid7 AppSpider Pro versions prior to 6.14.060 are susceptible to DLL preloading attacks.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in AppSpider Pro allows the installer to load DLLs from its directory, potentially leading to a security breach.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: AppSpider Pro
Vendor: Rapid7
Versions Affected: All versions prior to 6.14.060

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability enables attackers to place malicious DLLs in the same directory as the installer, exploiting the DLL preloading issue.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Update Rapid7 AppSpider Pro to version 6.14.060 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Long-Term Security Practices:
Regularly monitor and update software to address security flaws.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent DLL preloading vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues.
Educate users on safe installation practices and potential risks.
Utilize security tools to detect and prevent DLL preloading attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure Rapid7 AppSpider Pro is regularly updated to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.