CVE-2026-92252 in WatchDog
Summary
by MITRE • 09/20/2026
Incorrect default permissions in the installation directory of WatchDog Anti-Virus on Windows allow local, low-privileged users to modify, replace, or delete antivirus binaries and configuration files, because the installer grants the Users group Full Control over C:\Program Files (x86)\Watchdog Anti-Virus. This may disable antivirus protection or enable privileged code execution if modified binaries are loaded by an elevated WatchDog process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2026
The vulnerability identified in WatchDog Anti-Virus stems from a critical misconfiguration during the software installation phase on Windows operating systems, specifically involving incorrect default permissions assigned to the application directory. The installer erroneously grants the Users group Full Control access rights over the C:\Program Files (x86)\Watchdog Anti-Virus path. This configuration flaw represents a fundamental violation of the principle of least privilege, as it allows any local user with low-level privileges to alter files that are typically protected from modification by non-administrative accounts. By providing unrestricted write, modify, and delete capabilities to standard users, the security boundary intended to protect critical system components is effectively neutralized, creating a significant attack surface for local exploitation.
From a technical perspective, this flaw enables an attacker with low-privileged access to perform several malicious actions within the antivirus installation directory. The primary risk involves the ability to modify or replace existing binary files and configuration settings associated with the WatchDog Anti-Virus service. An adversary can inject malicious code into legitimate executable files through techniques such as DLL sideloading or direct file replacement, provided they can predict or control the filenames loaded by the application. Alternatively, an attacker might delete essential security components to degrade the effectiveness of the antivirus protection entirely. This manipulation allows for a complete bypass of endpoint detection and response mechanisms that rely on these specific binaries to monitor system activity and block threats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for privilege escalation. If the WatchDog Anti-Virus process runs with elevated privileges, which is common for security software requiring deep system access, any modified binary loaded by this process will inherit those higher-level permissions. Consequently, an attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution in a privileged context without needing administrative credentials initially. This effectively allows a low-privileged user to escalate their rights to that of the SYSTEM account or equivalent high-privilege identity. Such escalation compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire host system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms being established by attackers, and further lateral movement within a network environment where this compromised machine resides.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-250, which describes execution with unnecessary privileges, as well as CWE-732, concerning incorrect permission assignment for Critical Resources. In the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw facilitates techniques related to Privilege Escalation via Access Token Manipulation or Component Object Model Hijacking if DLL replacement is utilized. It also relates to Defense Evasion tactics where attackers disable security software by removing its core components. The lack of proper access control lists on installation directories is a common pitfall in application deployment that undermines the overall security posture, allowing local threats to escalate into critical system compromises.
To mitigate this risk, immediate remediation actions should focus on correcting the file system permissions for the WatchDog Anti-Virus directory and its contents. Administrators must ensure that only the SYSTEM account and designated administrative groups retain Full Control or Modify access rights over these files. The Users group and other non-privileged accounts should be restricted to Read and Execute permissions, preventing any ability to alter binaries or configurations. Additionally, organizations should implement strict monitoring of file system changes in program directories using endpoint detection tools that alert on unauthorized modifications to security software paths. Regular audits of installed application permissions are recommended to prevent similar misconfigurations across the enterprise environment, ensuring that critical infrastructure components remain protected against local privilege escalation attacks.