CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-28929NVD status: Modified

Trend Micro Security (Consumer): Uncontrolled Search Path Element

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-28929 is a high-severity uncontrolled search path element vulnerability in Trend Micro Security (Consumer) from Trend Micro, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 17.7.1634 as the first without the flaw, so updating Trend Micro Security (Consumer) to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.37% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Trend Micro Security (Consumer) to 17.7.1634 or a later version.
  2. Update trend_micro_security to 17.7.1634 or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on helpcenter.trendmicro.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Trend MicroTrend Micro Security (Consumer)2023 up to, but not including, 17.7.163417.7.1634
Trend Microtrend_micro_security2023 up to, but not including, 17.7.163417.7.1634
Trend MicroAntivirus+ Security 202117.0.1412 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroInternet Security 202117.0.1412 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroMaximum Security 202117.0.1412 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroPremium Security 202117.0.1412 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroAntivirus+ Security 202217.7.1476 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroInternet Security 202217.7.1476 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroMaximum Security 202217.7.1476 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroPremium Security 202217.7.1476 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroAntivirus+ Security 202317.7.1476 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroInternet Security 202317.7.1476 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroMaximum Security 202317.7.1476 and earlierNot stated
Trend MicroPremium Security 202317.7.1476 and earlierNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Official description

Trend Micro Security 2021, 2022, and 2023 (Consumer) are vulnerable to a DLL Hijacking vulnerability which could allow an attacker to use a specific executable file as an execution and/or persistence mechanism which could execute a malicious program each time the executable file is started.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Search Path Element

The product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Hard-code the search path to a set of known-safe values (such as system directories), or only allow them to be specified by the administrator in a configuration file. Do not allow these settings to be modified by an external party. Be careful to avoid related weaknesses such as CWE-426 and CWE-428.
  • When invoking other programs, specify those programs using fully-qualified pathnames. While this is an effective approach, code that uses fully-qualified pathnames might not be portable to other systems that do not use the same pathnames. The portability can be improved by locating the full-qualified paths in a centralized, easily-modifiable location within the source code, and having the code refer to these paths.
  • Remove or restrict all environment settings before invoking other programs. This includes the PATH environment variable, LD_LIBRARY_PATH, and other settings that identify the location of code libraries, and any application-specific search paths.

More Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerabilities (CWE-427)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Trend Micro Security (Consumer)

All Trend Micro Security (Consumer) vulnerabilities

Recent Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerabilities

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