CVE-2024-9490
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a DLL hijacking vulnerability in Silicon Labs 8-bit IDE installer where an uncontrolled search path allows attackers to place malicious DLLs that get executed with installer privileges. This can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution when users run the vulnerable installer. Anyone using the affected Silicon Labs IDE installer is potentially vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Silicon Labs 8-bit IDE installer
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with SYSTEM/administrator privileges, allowing complete control over the affected system and potential lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to installation of persistent malware, credential theft, or data exfiltration from the compromised system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper application whitelisting, least privilege principles, and DLL search path hardening are implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to place malicious DLL in search path and user interaction to run installer. Classic DLL hijacking attack pattern.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified in reference, but vendor has released fixed installer
Vendor Advisory: https://community.silabs.com/068Vm00000JUQwd
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download latest Silicon Labs 8-bit IDE installer from official vendor site. 2. Uninstall previous version if installed. 3. Run updated installer from trusted location. 4. Verify installation integrity.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Safe Installation Practices
allAlways run installer from trusted, secure directories (not Downloads, Desktop, or network shares) and verify installer hash before execution.
DLL Search Path Hardening
windowsConfigure Windows to use SafeDllSearchMode and consider setting CWDIllegalInDllSearch registry key to mitigate DLL hijacking.
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v SafeDllSearchMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v CWDIllegalInDllSearch /t REG_DWORD /d 0xFFFFFFFF /f
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict installer execution to administrators only and implement application whitelisting
- Monitor for suspicious DLL loading events and installer executions from unusual locations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if you have Silicon Labs 8-bit IDE installer files in your system and verify they're from official patched release. Review installer execution logs.Check Version:
Check installer properties or run installer with /? or --version switch if supportedVerify Fix Applied:
Download installer from official vendor source, verify digital signature, and check version against latest advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event ID 4688 (process creation) showing installer execution from suspicious paths
- Sysmon Event ID 7 (image loaded) showing DLLs loaded from unexpected locations during installer execution
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections following installer execution
SIEM Query:
source="windows" AND (event_id=4688 AND process_name="*install*.exe" AND process_path!="*Program Files*") OR (event_id=7 AND process_name="*install*.exe" AND image_loaded_path!="*System32*" AND image_loaded_path!="*Program Files*")