At a glance:

VD Number FG-VD-17-058
Discovered May 14, 2017
Released Mar 14, 2018
Risk
Impact Privilege Escalation & Code Execution
Affected Software Google Photos for Windows

Zero-Day Advisory

Fortinet Discovers Google Photos DLL Preloading Vulnerability

Summary

Fortinet's FortiGuard Labs has discovered a DLL preloading vulnerability in Google's Google Photos.

Google Photos is a Backup and Sync utility by Google using which users can automatically back up photos from their Mac or PC, connected cameras and SD cards directly to their Google Photos Account.

Google Photos for Windows is susceptible to a DLL preloading vulnerability. The issue occurs when the application looks to load a DLL for execution and an attacker provides a malicious DLL to use instead. The application generally follows a specific search path to locate the DLL. The vulnerability can be exploited by a simple file write (or potentially an over-write) which results in a foreign DLL running under the context of the application.


Solutions

Users should apply the solution provided by Google.

Timeline

Fortinet reported the vulnerability to Google on May 15, 2017.

Google confirmed the vulnerability on May 22, 2017.

Google patched the vulnerability on May 22, 2017.

Acknowledgement

This vulnerability was discovered by Kushal Arvind Shah of Fortinet's FortiGuard Labs.

IPS Subscription

Fortinet customers who subscribe to Fortinet's intrusion prevention (IPS) service should be protected against this vulnerability with the appropriate configuration parameters in place. Fortinet's IPS service is one component of FortiGuard Subscription Services, which also offer comprehensive solutions such as antivirus, Web content filtering and antispam capabilities. These services enable protection against threats on both application and network layers. FortiGuard Services are continuously updated by FortiGuard Labs, which enables Fortinet to deliver a combination of multi-layered security intelligence and true zero-day protection from new and emerging threats. These updates are delivered to all FortiGate, FortiMail and FortiClient products. Fortinet strictly follows responsible disclosure guidelines to ensure optimum protection during a threat's lifecycle.