CVE-2019-19235 in ATK
Summary
by MITRE
AsLdrSrv.exe in ASUS ATK Package before V1.0.0061 (for Windows 10 notebook PCs) could lead to unsigned code execution with no additional execution. The user must put an application at a particular path, with a particular file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19235 affects the ASUS ATK Package software component known as AsLdrSrv.exe which is designed to facilitate driver loading and system management on Windows 10 notebook computers. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically resides within the application loader service that handles the loading of system components and drivers, creating a potential attack vector that requires minimal user interaction beyond placing a malicious file in a predetermined location.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the AsLdrSrv.exe component that processes and loads applications. According to CWE standards, this issue manifests as a weakness in the validation of file paths and names, specifically categorized under CWE-78 and CWE-79 which address command injection and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities respectively, though the context here involves file system path manipulation. The flaw allows for arbitrary code execution through a path traversal or file name manipulation attack where an attacker can place a malicious executable at a specific predetermined location with a particular file name to trigger the execution of unsigned code. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which describes the execution of malicious code through various system interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning for enterprise and individual users of ASUS notebook computers running affected versions of the ATK Package. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond the initial placement of the malicious file, making it potentially exploitable through social engineering or automated attacks where adversaries can leverage the predictable file naming conventions and paths. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, or establish persistence mechanisms, as the loaded code executes with the privileges of the AsLdrSrv.exe process which typically runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require additional execution steps beyond the initial file placement, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically when the system processes the malicious file.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-19235 should focus on immediate software updates to version V1.0.0061 or later which contain the necessary patches to address the path validation issues. System administrators should implement strict file access controls and monitor for unauthorized file placement in system directories, particularly those related to ASUS ATK Package components. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of unauthorized binaries, while regular security audits should verify that no malicious files exist in the targeted paths. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of placing unknown executables in system directories and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions. Organizations should consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious file creation patterns in system directories that could indicate exploitation attempts of this vulnerability.