CVE-2017-6005 in MaxxAudio
Summary
by MITRE
Waves MaxxAudio, as installed on Dell laptops, adds a "WavesSysSvc" Windows service with File Version 1.1.6.0. This service has a vulnerability known as Unquoted Service Path. This could potentially allow an authorized but non-privileged local user to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6005 resides within the Waves MaxxAudio software package that is pre-installed on Dell laptop systems. This audio enhancement software includes a Windows service component named WavesSysSvc with a file version of 1.1.6.0 that exhibits a critical security flaw known as Unquoted Service Path vulnerability. The issue stems from the service's installation path not being properly quoted, creating a path traversal opportunity that can be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability specifically affects systems where the Waves MaxxAudio service is installed with default settings, making it a widespread concern across Dell laptop deployments that include this audio processing software. The service operates with elevated privileges, as is standard for Windows services, but the unquoted path creates a potential attack vector that could allow privilege escalation.
The technical flaw manifests when Windows attempts to resolve the service path and encounters a directory structure where the path contains spaces but lacks proper quotation. In the case of WavesSysSvc, the service path likely contains spaces in its directory structure without being enclosed in quotes, which allows Windows to interpret the path components individually. When a malicious executable is placed in a directory that appears before the legitimate service path in the Windows search order, Windows will execute this malicious file instead of the intended service binary. This behavior occurs because Windows searches for executables in the PATH environment variable in order, and unquoted paths can be manipulated to load unauthorized code. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-428 which addresses the improper resolution of a path that is not quoted, creating potential for path injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows an authorized but non-privileged local user to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited to gain system-level access without requiring administrator credentials. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed by any user who has local access to the system. Once exploited, the malicious code can perform actions such as installing additional malware, modifying system files, accessing sensitive data, or creating persistent backdoors. The elevated privileges gained through this attack vector can be leveraged to compromise the entire system, making it a critical security concern for organizations and individual users who rely on Dell laptops with Waves MaxxAudio installed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple approaches that align with established cybersecurity frameworks and best practices. The primary remediation involves properly quoting the service path during installation, which can be achieved through registry modifications or service reinstallation with correct path specifications. System administrators should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify affected systems and ensure that all Windows services have properly quoted paths. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting service execution methods that exploit weak service path configurations. Organizations should implement regular patch management processes to ensure that software updates addressing this vulnerability are deployed promptly. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles and restricting local user access where possible can reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual service execution patterns and unauthorized modifications to service configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software installation practices and the need for security testing of third-party applications before deployment in enterprise environments.