CVE-2026-16727 in Armoury Crate
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization (“Race Condition”) in ASUS Armoury Crate allows a local user to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges via a crafted file replacement. Refer to the ' Security Update for ASUS Armoury Crate ' section on the ASUS Security Advisory for more information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
A race condition vulnerability exists within ASUS Armoury Crate software that stems from improper synchronization when handling shared resources during concurrent execution scenarios. This weakness creates a window of opportunity where malicious actors can exploit the timing gap between resource access and modification operations to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes crafted file replacements that manipulate shared system resources without adequate locking mechanisms or atomic operations.
The technical flaw resides in the software's failure to implement proper mutual exclusion controls during file replacement operations within the Armoury Crate framework. When legitimate system components attempt to access shared resources while malicious files are being swapped, the application's inadequate synchronization logic allows for unpredictable execution paths that can be leveraged by local attackers. This condition falls under the CWE-362 category of concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization, which directly maps to the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the system that can be maintained across reboots. Local users who can successfully exploit this race condition gain elevated privileges typically equivalent to those of the system administrator or service account running Armoury Crate, enabling them to modify critical system files, install backdoors, or establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access but does not necessitate network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access is possible.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper synchronization primitives such as mutexes, semaphores, or atomic operations when handling shared resources during file replacement processes. System administrators should immediately apply the security update provided by ASUS as referenced in their official security advisory to address this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include restricting local user privileges where possible, implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution, and monitoring for suspicious file replacement activities within the Armoury Crate directory structures. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with privilege escalation attempts and race condition exploitation methods.