# GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5: .be TEMP folder is vulnerable to DLL redirection attacks that allow the attacker to escalate privileges.

> Attackers can escalate privileges by placing malicious DLLs in user TEMP folders during WiX installer execution, affecting applications built with the WiX framework.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 8 Feb 2024

## What is GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5?

GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5 is a vulnerability in PanelSwWix4.Sdk, published on 8 Feb 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

# Summary

.be TEMP folder is vulnerable to DLL redirection attacks that allow the attacker to escalate privileges.

# Details

If the bundle is not run as admin, the user's TEMP folder is used and not the system TEMP folder. A utility is able to monitor the user's TEMP folder for changes and drop its own DLL into the .be/.Local folder immediately when the .be folder is created. When the burn engine elevates, the malicious DLL receives elevated privileges.

# PoC

As a standard, non-admin user:

1.  Monitor the user's TEMP folder for changes using ReadDirectoryChangesW
1.  On FILE_ACTION_ADDED, check if the folder name is .be
1.  Create a folder in .be named after the bundle + .Local (e.g. MyInstaller.exe.Local)
1.  Put the malicious COMCTL32.DLL in the .Local folder following the naming used for the real DLL (e.g. MyInstaller.exe.Local/x86_microsoft.windows.common-controls_.../COMCTL32.dll)
1.  Do hacker things when the engine escalates and the malicious DLL is loaded

Proper naming for the path can be obtained by using GetModuleHandle("comctl32.dll") and GetModuleFileName.

# Impact

DLL redirection utilizing .exe.Local Windows capability. This impacts any installer built with the WiX installer framework.

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including PanelSwWix4.Sdk.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `PanelSwWix4.Sdk` | NuGet | All versions | 5.0.0-psw-wix.0251-40 |
| `PanelSwWix4.Sdk` | NuGet | All versions | 5.0.0-psw-wix.0251-40 |

## How do I fix GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5?

Upgrade PanelSwWix4.Sdk to 5.0.0-psw-wix.0251-40 or later.

## Is GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5 is a vulnerability in PanelSwWix4.Sdk, published on 8 Feb 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- PanelSwWix4.Sdk (NuGet): affected all versions; fixed in 5.0.0-psw-wix.0251-40
- PanelSwWix4.Sdk (NuGet): affected all versions; fixed in 5.0.0-psw-wix.0251-40

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-8v28-3g86-chj5/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.