CVE-2017-12266 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2017-12266 affecting Cisco Meeting App for Windows. Find out how an attacker could exploit DLL loading flaw to gain elevated privileges and how to mitigate the risk.
Cisco Meeting App for Windows has a vulnerability that could allow an authenticated local attacker to execute commands with elevated privileges. The flaw lies in the inadequate validation of DLL file paths, enabling the attacker to place a malicious DLL file in a system directory.
Understanding CVE-2017-12266
This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Cisco Meeting App for Windows that could lead to privilege escalation for an attacker with valid user credentials.
What is CVE-2017-12266?
The vulnerability in Cisco Meeting App for Windows allows an authenticated attacker to exploit a flaw in loading DLL files, potentially executing commands with elevated privileges equivalent to the application.
The Impact of CVE-2017-12266
An attacker could take advantage of this vulnerability to run arbitrary commands on the underlying Windows host, gaining control equivalent to that of Cisco Meeting App.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-12266
The technical aspects of the vulnerability in Cisco Meeting App for Windows.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw arises from insufficient validation of DLL file paths before loading, enabling an attacker to insert a specially crafted DLL file in a designated system directory.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Cisco Meeting App
- Version: Cisco Meeting App
Exploitation Mechanism
- An authenticated local attacker with valid user credentials can exploit the vulnerability by placing a malicious DLL file in a specific system directory.
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2017-12266 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the latest security patches provided by Cisco.
- Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.
- Restrict access to critical system directories.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Conduct regular security training for users on identifying phishing attempts.
- Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access.
Patching and Updates
- Regularly update Cisco Meeting App to the latest version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.