CVE-2019-25285 in Pointing-Device Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2026
Alps Pointing-device Controller 8.1202.1711.04 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the ApHidMonitorService that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the service path and gain system-level access when the service restarts or the system reboots.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25285 resides within the Alps Pointing-device Controller version 8.1202.1711.04, specifically affecting the ApHidMonitorService component. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from improper service path configuration, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local adversaries to achieve privilege escalation. The vulnerability manifests due to the service's executable path not being properly quoted, which creates opportunities for path traversal attacks and arbitrary code execution.
The technical flaw occurs when the ApHidMonitorService attempts to execute its binary component without proper quotation of the path string. This unquoted service path vulnerability allows attackers to place malicious executables in directories along the service's execution path, particularly in locations such as the program files directory or other commonly used system folders. When the service restarts or the system reboots, the operating system will execute the malicious binary instead of the legitimate service executable, thereby enabling code execution with elevated privileges.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-428, which describes the weakness of unquoted service paths in Windows environments. The operational impact of this flaw is significant as it provides local attackers with a means to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system administrator level. The attack vector requires local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may have legitimate access to systems but should not possess administrative privileges. The exploitation process is straightforward and reliable since the attacker simply needs to place a malicious executable in the appropriate directory and wait for the service to restart or the system to reboot.
The attack follows the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically leveraging service execution and registry modification techniques. The vulnerability can be exploited through several methods including placing a malicious DLL or executable in the service path directory, creating symbolic links, or using other path manipulation techniques. Once successfully exploited, the malicious code executes with SYSTEM privileges, providing attackers complete control over the affected system. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access or system-wide compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include proper service path quoting during installation, implementing strict access controls on service directories, and applying the vendor's security patches when available. System administrators should conduct regular audits of service configurations to identify and correct unquoted service paths. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and maintaining up-to-date security patches can prevent exploitation of this class of vulnerability. The recommended approach involves ensuring that all service executable paths are properly quoted during installation and that appropriate file system permissions are enforced on service directories to prevent unauthorized modifications.