CVE-2025-8070 in ABP
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2025
The Windows service configuration of ABP and AES contains an unquoted ImagePath registry value vulnerability. This allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code by placing a malicious executable in a predictable location such as C:\Program.exe. If the service runs with elevated privileges, exploitation results in privilege escalation to SYSTEM level. This vulnerability arises from an unquoted service path affecting systems where the executable resides in a path containing spaces. Affected products and versions include: ABP 2.0.7.6130 and earlier as well as AES 1.0.6.6133 and earlier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-8070 represents a critical security flaw in the Windows service configuration of ABP and AES software products, specifically manifesting through an unquoted ImagePath registry value. This weakness stems from improper service path handling where the system does not properly quote the executable path in the Windows registry, creating a predictable attack surface for local privilege escalation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-428, which addresses the issue of unquoted service paths, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous security incidents across various software platforms. When a service is configured with an unquoted path containing spaces, Windows will attempt to execute the program at each directory level in the path, beginning from the root, until it finds an executable file.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker's ability to place a malicious executable in a location that Windows will traverse during service startup. For instance, if a service path is configured as C:\Program Files\SomeApplication\service.exe, the system will first attempt to execute C:\Program.exe, then C:\Program Files\SomeApplication\service.exe. This behavior creates a window of opportunity for attackers to position malicious binaries at the early traversal points, particularly in the root directory or other predictable locations. The vulnerability affects both ABP 2.0.7.6130 and earlier versions as well as AES 1.0.6.6133 and earlier, indicating a widespread issue within these specific software versions. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through service misconfiguration, and T1543, which addresses the creation of new services or modification of existing ones.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it provides a straightforward path to privilege escalation from a local attacker's current privileges to SYSTEM level access. This escalation occurs because the vulnerable services are typically configured to run with elevated privileges, often as local system accounts or service accounts with administrative rights. Once a malicious executable is placed in the appropriate location, the service startup process will execute the attacker's code with the elevated privileges of the service account, effectively granting the attacker full system control. The implications extend beyond simple code execution, as this vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access, install additional malware, or conduct further reconnaissance within the compromised system. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where services are frequently started or restarted.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-8070 should focus on immediate remediation of the service configuration and implementation of broader security controls. The primary fix involves properly quoting the service ImagePath registry value to prevent the traversal behavior that enables exploitation. Security administrators should ensure that all service paths containing spaces are enclosed in double quotes within the Windows registry, which prevents Windows from attempting to execute programs from intermediate directories. This remediation approach directly addresses the root cause and is consistent with security best practices outlined in the Microsoft Security Response Center guidelines and the CIS Controls framework. Additional protective measures include implementing least privilege principles for service accounts, regular security audits of service configurations, and monitoring for unusual file creation patterns in system directories. Organizations should also consider deploying application whitelisting solutions and ensuring that only authorized personnel have the ability to modify service configurations, as this vulnerability can be exploited through both direct system access and social engineering attacks that gain local user privileges.