Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection MpSigStub.exe access control

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection, Security Essentials, System Center Endpoint Protection and Windows Defender. This impacts an unknown function of the file MpSigStub.exe. Performing a manipulation results in access control. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2019-1161. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection, Security Essentials, System Center Endpoint Protection and Windows Defender (Operating System) (version now known). It has been classified as critical. This affects some unknown processing of the file MpSigStub.exe. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a access control vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-264. This is going to have an impact on integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the MpSigStub.exe for Defender allows file deletion in arbitrary locations. To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first have to log on to the system. An attacker could then run a specially crafted command that could exploit the vulnerability and delete protected files on an affected system once MpSigStub.exe ran again. The update addresses the vulnerability and blocks the arbitrary deletion.

The weakness was shared 08/13/2019 as confirmed security update guide (Website). The advisory is shared at portal.msrc.microsoft.com. The vendor cooperated in the coordination of the public release. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2019-1161 since 11/26/2018. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Required for exploitation is a authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/20/2026). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue. The advisory points out:

An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the MpSigStub.exe for Defender allows file deletion in arbitrary locations.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• Forefront Endpoint Protection
• Security Essentials
• System Center Endpoint Protection
• Windows Defender

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.microsoft.com/

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Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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