CVE-2025-47422 in Advanced Installer
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2025
Advanced Installer before 22.6 has an uncontrolled search path element local privilege escalation vulnerability. When running as SYSTEM in certain configurations, Advanced Installer looks in standard-user writable locations for non-existent binaries and executes them as SYSTEM. A low-privileged attacker can place a malicious binary in a targeted folder; when the installer is executed, the attacker achieves arbitrary SYSTEM code execution.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-47422 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw within Advanced Installer versions prior to 22.6. This issue stems from improper handling of search paths during installation processes, specifically when the installer operates with elevated SYSTEM privileges. The vulnerability manifests when Advanced Installer, running in a SYSTEM context, attempts to locate and execute non-existent binaries within directories that are writable by standard users. This design flaw creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate the execution flow by placing crafted binaries in targeted writable locations, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows low-privileged attackers to achieve SYSTEM-level code execution, fundamentally compromising the security model of the affected system.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability aligns with CWE-427, which describes uncontrolled search path elements in software systems. Advanced Installer's implementation fails to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used for locating required binaries during installation operations. When the installer encounters missing binaries, it follows a predictable search order that includes directories writable by regular users. This behavior creates a race condition and path traversal opportunity where attackers can substitute legitimate system binaries with malicious counterparts. The vulnerability operates under the principle of insecure direct object reference and path manipulation, where the application does not properly restrict access to critical system resources. The flaw specifically affects installations running in SYSTEM context, leveraging the elevated privileges to execute attacker-controlled code with the highest system permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-47422 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, representing a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can achieve persistent system compromise, potentially leading to complete system takeover and data exfiltration. The vulnerability's exploitability is relatively straightforward, requiring only standard user privileges to place malicious binaries in designated locations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access is more permissive. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities and execution through legitimate system tools. The attack chain typically involves initial access as a low-privileged user, followed by binary substitution in writable directories, and finally execution of malicious code with SYSTEM privileges, bypassing traditional security controls and detection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-47422 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary recommendation is to upgrade Advanced Installer to version 22.6 or later, which addresses the uncontrolled search path issue through proper path validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement restrictive file permissions on installation directories, ensuring that only authorized users can write to locations where installer components are executed. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious binary execution patterns can provide early detection capabilities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other software components with similar search path vulnerabilities, as this represents a common class of security flaws. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated installations to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues while maintaining the security posture against similar vulnerabilities.