CVE-2023-53937
DLL Search Order Hijacking in Hubstaff 1.6.14 Enables Remote Code Execution
Publication date: 2025-12-18
Last updated on: 2025-12-18
Assigner: VulnCheck
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| hubstaff | hubstaff | 1.6.13 |
| hubstaff | hubstaff | 1.6.14 |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-427 | 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. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is a DLL search order hijacking issue in Hubstaff versions 1.6.13 and 1.6.14. The application expects a DLL named wow64log.dll in the system32 directory, but this DLL is missing. An attacker can place a malicious DLL with the same name in that directory. When Hubstaff starts, it loads this malicious DLL instead, allowing the attacker to execute code, such as opening a reverse shell to control the system. [2, 3]
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
This vulnerability can allow an attacker with local access to escalate privileges and gain control over the affected system by executing arbitrary code through the malicious DLL. Specifically, the attacker can obtain a reverse shell with system-level access, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system and data. [2, 3]
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
You can detect this vulnerability by checking if the system32 directory is missing the wow64log.dll file, which Hubstaff requires. On a Windows system, you can run the command: 'dir C:\Windows\System32\wow64log.dll' to verify if the DLL is present. Additionally, monitoring for unexpected DLL files named wow64log.dll in the system32 directory or unusual reverse shell connections (e.g., via netcat listeners) can help detect exploitation attempts. Using tools like 'netstat' to check for suspicious outbound connections or scanning for the presence of malicious DLLs can also be useful. [2, 3]
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Immediate mitigation steps include ensuring that the legitimate wow64log.dll is present in the system32 directory to prevent attackers from placing a malicious DLL. If the DLL is missing, restore it from a trusted source or reinstall Hubstaff properly. Restrict write permissions to the system32 directory to prevent unauthorized DLL placement. Additionally, monitor and block suspicious network connections that may indicate reverse shell activity. Applying any available patches or updates from Hubstaff is also recommended. [2, 3]