CVE-2016-6593Public exploit

Local code execution via untrusted DLL loading

Published Jan 8, 2020 · Updated Aug 6, 2024

Untrusted DLL loading in Symantec VIP Access Desktop before 2.2.2 allows local users to execute arbitrary code during application startup. The UI Manager searches its current working directory for jhi.dll and otpiha.dll and loads an attacker-supplied replacement without a trusted absolute path. Exploitation requires a local user to place the crafted DLL where the application will search and a user to start the application; code then runs in that application user's context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.81%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Untrusted DLL loading in Symantec VIP Access Desktop before 2.2.2 allows local users to execute arbitrary code during application startup. The UI Manager searches its current working directory for jhi.dll and otpiha.dll and loads an attacker-supplied replacement without a trusted absolute path. Exploitation requires a local user to place the crafted DLL where the application will search and a user to start the application; code then runs in that application user's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2016-6593
Published
Jan 8, 2020
Updated
Aug 6, 2024
Vendor
Symantec
Product
VIP Access Desktop
Classifications
CWE-426, T1574.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 8, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 6, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=before 2.2.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Symantec · VIP Access Desktopversion=before 2.2.2

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.4NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-426Untrusted Search Path
T1574.001Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Search Order Hijacking

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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