CVE-2021-45819 in HIDCCEMonitorSVC
Summary
by MITRE • 03/03/2022
Wordline HIDCCEMonitorSVC before v5.2.4.3 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45819 affects the Wordline HIDCCEMonitorSVC service component in versions prior to v5.2.4.3. This represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that stems from improper service path configuration within the Windows operating system framework. The issue manifests through an unquoted service path configuration that creates a exploitable condition allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of service path manipulation attacks and aligns with CWE-428 which addresses unquoted service paths as a security weakness.
The technical flaw exists when the Windows service path for HIDCCEMonitorSVC is configured without proper quotation marks around the executable path. This configuration allows the Windows service manager to traverse the file system in a predictable manner when resolving the service executable location. An attacker can place a malicious executable at a location that falls within the service path traversal sequence, effectively hijacking the legitimate service execution. The service path typically resolves from left to right, and when no quotes are present, Windows will attempt to execute the first valid directory or file encountered during path resolution. This creates a predictable attack surface where adversaries can place malicious binaries at strategic locations within the path hierarchy.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise. When successfully exploited, attackers gain system-level privileges, enabling them to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access sensitive data, and potentially establish lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction to exploit, as the service typically runs with SYSTEM privileges. This makes it an attractive target for both automated exploitation tools and sophisticated attack campaigns. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1035 which describes service execution through legitimate system processes, and T1068 which covers privilege escalation through service misconfigurations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on patch management and service path hardening. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Wordline HIDCCEMonitorSVC version 5.2.4.3 or later, which addresses the unquoted service path issue through proper path quotation in the service configuration. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive service path audits to identify other services with similar unquoted path configurations, as this represents a common pattern in Windows service misconfigurations. The recommended approach includes implementing proper service path quoting using double quotation marks around executable paths, removing unnecessary services, and applying the principle of least privilege to service accounts. Security monitoring should also include detection of suspicious file creation patterns in service path directories, as this vulnerability often involves placing malicious executables in directories that would be traversed during service startup. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth layers to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability even if patching is delayed.