CVE-2026-1995 in Cloud Backup Client
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2026
IDrive’s id_service.exe process runs with elevated privileges and regularly reads from several files under the C:\ProgramData\IDrive\ directory. The UTF16-LE encoded contents of these files are used as arguments for starting a process, but they can be edited by any standard user logged into the system. An attacker can overwrite or edit the files to specify a path to an arbitrary executable, which will then be executed by the id_service.exe process with SYSTEM privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-1995 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within IDrive's id_service.exe component that operates with SYSTEM-level privileges. This security weakness stems from improper access control mechanisms and inadequate input validation within the software's architecture. The id_service.exe process is designed to run with elevated privileges to perform essential system functions, yet it fails to implement proper file access controls when processing user-supplied data from the C:\ProgramData\IDrive\ directory. The system's security model is fundamentally compromised because the process reads UTF16-LE encoded configuration files that are accessible to any standard user account, creating an attack surface that directly enables unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical flaw manifests through a classic command injection vulnerability where the id_service.exe process directly uses file contents as command arguments without proper sanitization or validation. When the service reads configuration files containing UTF16-LE encoded data, it treats this data as executable parameters, creating a path traversal and command execution vulnerability. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level, allowing any authenticated user to manipulate the service's behavior by modifying files in the ProgramData directory. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-78, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The attack vector is straightforward yet devastating, as the attacker only needs standard user credentials to exploit this weakness and gain SYSTEM-level access to the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges, effectively bypassing all user-level security controls and access restrictions. This level of access enables comprehensive system reconnaissance, data exfiltration, persistence establishment, and further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where IDrive is deployed, as it can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data and infrastructure. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through service exploitation, making it a preferred target for attackers seeking persistent access to compromised systems.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-1995 must address both the immediate vulnerability and implement long-term security improvements to prevent similar issues. Organizations should immediately restrict file permissions on the C:\ProgramData\IDrive\ directory to prevent standard users from modifying critical configuration files, implementing proper discretionary access controls that align with the principle of least privilege. Additionally, the id_service.exe process should be modified to validate all input data from external sources, implementing proper sanitization and path validation before executing any commands. The service should also be configured to run with the minimum necessary privileges, avoiding unnecessary SYSTEM-level access for routine operations. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the root cause, and organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files. Network segmentation and access control measures should be reinforced to limit the potential damage from such vulnerabilities, while regular security audits should verify that similar privilege escalation paths do not exist within the organization's software ecosystem.