CVE-2023-31462 in SteelSeries
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2023
An issue was discovered in SteelSeries GG 36.0.0. An attacker can change values in an unencrypted database that is writable for all users on the computer, in order to trigger code execution with higher privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-31462 resides within SteelSeries GG 36.0.0, a popular gaming software platform that provides hardware configuration and game optimization features for SteelSeries gaming peripherals. This security flaw represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper access controls and inadequate data protection mechanisms within the software's architecture. The issue manifests through the presence of an unencrypted database file that has been configured with overly permissive access rights, allowing any user account on the system to modify critical database values that control the application's behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of database entries that are stored in an unencrypted format and accessible to all local users. When an attacker modifies specific values within this database, they can effectively alter the execution flow of the SteelSeries GG application, enabling them to inject malicious code or manipulate the application's functionality. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the privilege level of the application itself, meaning that successful exploitation can result in code execution with the elevated privileges of the SteelSeries GG process. This creates a direct pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially gain full system control.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-31462 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the gaming platform and creates opportunities for persistent malware deployment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, install additional malicious software, or perform further reconnaissance activities within the compromised system. The vulnerability affects all users of SteelSeries GG 36.0.0 regardless of their administrative status, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where attackers may not have direct access to administrator accounts. This weakness aligns with CWE-276, which describes inadequate permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic example of improper access control that enables unauthorized modification of application data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators and users to address the root cause of the issue. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of SteelSeries GG that implements proper database encryption and access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as restricting file system permissions for the SteelSeries database files and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to these critical data stores. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and persistence mechanisms, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation tactic and potentially enabling T1547 persistence tactics. System administrators should also implement regular security audits to detect any unauthorized modifications to application databases and consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious database access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper resource access controls in preventing attackers from leveraging seemingly minor configuration flaws to achieve significant security breaches.