CVE-2018-5235 : What You Need to Know

Norton Utilities (prior to 16.0.3.44) may be susceptible to a DLL Preloading vulnerability, potentially allowing a foreign DLL to run within the application's context.

Understanding CVE-2018-5235

There is a potential vulnerability in Norton Utilities regarding DLL Preloading, which could be exploited by an attacker to execute malicious code.

What is CVE-2018-5235?

CVE-2018-5235 is a vulnerability in Norton Utilities (versions prior to 16.0.3.44) related to DLL Preloading. This type of issue occurs when an application attempts to call a DLL for execution, and a malicious DLL provided by an attacker is used instead.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5235

Exploiting this vulnerability involves writing or overwriting a file, enabling a foreign DLL to run within the application's context. This could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5235

Norton Utilities (prior to 16.0.3.44) is affected by a DLL Preloading vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of DLL loading, allowing an attacker to substitute a legitimate DLL with a malicious one.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Norton Utilities
Vendor: Symantec Corporation
Versions Affected: Prior to 16.0.3.44

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the DLL search path, leading the application to load a malicious DLL instead of the intended one.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2018-5235.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Norton Utilities to version 16.0.3.44 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor for any suspicious DLL loading activities on the system.
Implement file integrity checks to detect unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Symantec Corporation has released a patch to address the DLL Preloading vulnerability in Norton Utilities. Ensure all systems are updated to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.