DLL Hijacking Vulnerabilities in Silicon Labs Installers
Overview of DLL Hijacking Vulnerabilities in Silicon Labs Installers
DLL hijacking vulnerabilities pose significant security risks, particularly in software installations where an uncontrolled search path can be exploited. This document discusses several critical vulnerabilities identified in various Silicon Labs installers, including the 8-bit IDE, USBXpress Dev Kit, and CP210x VCP Windows installers. These vulnerabilities were all published on January 24, 2025, and can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.CVE-2024-9490: Silicon Labs (8-bit) IDE Installer
Description:CVE-2024-9490 is a DLL hijacking vulnerability caused by an uncontrolled search path in the Silicon Labs 8-bit IDE installer. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges when the installer is run.Sample Scenario:
An attacker could place a malicious DLL file in a directory that the installer searches before its own. When a user runs the installer, the malicious DLL is loaded instead of the legitimate one, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary commands or gain unauthorized access to system resources.
CVE-2024-9496: USBXpress Dev Kit Installer
Description:Similar to CVE-2024-9490, CVE-2024-9496 involves a DLL hijacking vulnerability within the USBXpress Dev Kit installer. The uncontrolled search path allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.Sample Scenario:
If an organization uses the USBXpress Dev Kit for development purposes, an insider threat or external attacker could exploit this vulnerability by placing a malicious DLL in the installation path. When developers run the installer, the malicious code executes, potentially compromising sensitive data or system integrity.
CVE-2024-9495: CP210x VCP Windows Installer
Description:CVE-2024-9495 is another instance of DLL hijacking due to an uncontrolled search path in the CP210x VCP Windows installer. This vulnerability also allows for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.Sample Scenario:
A user downloading and installing the CP210x driver from a compromised website may inadvertently execute a malicious DLL if it has been placed in an accessible directory. This could lead to unauthorized control over their system or data breaches.
CVE-2024-9494: CP210 VCP Win 2k Installer
Description:CVE-2024-9494 mirrors the vulnerabilities found in previous cases, affecting the CP210 VCP Win 2k installer. The same uncontrolled search path issue allows for exploitation through DLL hijacking.Sample Scenario:
An attacker could craft a phishing email containing a link to download the CP210 VCP Win 2k installer. If users are not cautious about where they download software from, they might execute an installer that loads malicious code embedded within it.