CVE-2024-14012 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-426 (Untrusted Search Path) affecting Revenera InstallShield version 2023 R1 on Windows platforms. The issue occurs when a local administrator executes a renamed Setup.exe installer. Under these conditions, the Windows loader may search for the MPR.dll library in an insecure or attacker-controlled directory before the legitimate system directory, leading to the loading of a malicious DLL. This DLL hijacking results in privilege escalation, allowing an attacker with local admin rights to gain higher privileges or execute arbitrary code with elevated rights. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have local administrator privileges and to run the renamed installer, which involves user interaction. The CVSS 4.0 score of 7.3 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring privileges and user interaction. The flaw has been addressed in InstallShield 2023 R2 and later versions. No public exploits have been reported, but the risk remains significant due to the nature of DLL hijacking and privilege escalation. Organizations using the affected version should prioritize upgrading to the fixed release to prevent potential exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk especially in environments where InstallShield 2023 R1 is used for software deployment or installation tasks. Privilege escalation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, system configuration changes, or deployment of persistent malware, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems. Given that the vulnerability requires local admin privileges, it primarily threatens insider attackers or scenarios where initial access is already compromised. However, the ease of escalating privileges once local access is obtained can facilitate lateral movement and deeper network compromise. Industries with stringent regulatory requirements such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure in Europe could face compliance violations and operational disruptions if exploited. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability is widely known.

European organizations should immediately verify if InstallShield 2023 R1 is deployed within their environments and plan to upgrade to version 2023 R2 or later where the vulnerability is fixed. Until the upgrade is applied, restrict local administrator privileges to trusted personnel only and monitor execution of renamed Setup.exe files. Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized installers or renamed executables. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious DLL loading behavior, particularly attempts to load MPR.dll from non-standard paths. Conduct regular audits of software deployment processes to ensure installers are not renamed or tampered with. Educate administrators on the risks of running renamed installers and enforce strict controls on software installation procedures. Additionally, apply the principle of least privilege to limit the number of users with local admin rights and segment networks to contain potential privilege escalation impacts.