CVE-2024-9493
Published: 24 January 2025
Summary
CVE-2024-9493 is a high-severity Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427) vulnerability in Silabs (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 8.6 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique DLL (T1574.001); ranked at the 8.6th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 CM-14 (Signed Components) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2024-9493 is a DLL hijacking vulnerability stemming from an uncontrolled search path (CWE-427) in the ToolStick installer from Silicon Labs. This flaw affects users running the impacted installer, enabling malicious DLL loading during execution. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.6 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high severity due to its potential for significant impact with local access and user interaction.
A local attacker with no required privileges can exploit this by placing a malicious DLL in a directory included in the installer's search path. When a user runs the ToolStick installer, it loads the attacker's DLL instead of the legitimate one, resulting in privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution with the installer's privileges.
Silicon Labs has published an advisory on their community site (https://community.silabs.com/068Vm00000JUQwd) addressing the issue, with details on mitigations for affected ToolStick installer versions.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2024-50442
Vulnerability details
DLL hijacking vulnerabilities, caused by an uncontrolled search path in the ToolStick installer can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution when running the impacted installer.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Direct match to DLL side-loading via uncontrolled search path in installer executable, enabling malicious DLL load on user execution.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly remediates the DLL hijacking flaw in the ToolStick installer by requiring timely patching per Silicon Labs advisory, eliminating the uncontrolled search path vulnerability.
Enforces digital signing and validation of software components including DLLs, preventing the installer from loading malicious unsigned DLLs placed in the search path.
Deploys malicious code protection to scan and block attacker-placed malicious DLLs in directories searched by the ToolStick installer.