Flexera InstallShield

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 7.3
• ATTENTION: Low skill level to exploit
• Vendor: Flexera
• Equipment: InstallShield
• Vulnerability: Untrusted Search Path

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow execution of a malicious DLL.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Flexera InstallShield are affected:

• Flexera InstallShield through 2015 SP1
• Flexera InstallShield is integrated into many products sold by other companies

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    UNTRUSTED SEARCH PATH CWE-426

The affected product is subject to an untrusted search path vulnerability, which may allow an attacker to execute a malicious DLL if placed into the working directory of the setup-launcher executable file through social engineering. 

CVE-2016-2542 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Multiple Sectors
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

An anonymous researcher reported this vulnerability to Flexera.

4. MITIGATIONS

It is recommended that users contact the product’s vendor support team for guidance on any mitigations and workarounds regarding Flexera InstallShield issues in relation to that product. 

For more information see Flexera’s KBR-Article.

CISA recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks: 

• Do not click web links or open unsolicited attachments in email messages. 
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams. 
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.



CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.



Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.