Macro Expert 4.0 Multiple Elevation of Privilege

vendor:

Macro Expert

by:

Tulpa

N/A

CVSS

HIGH

Elevation of Privilege

269

CWE

Product Name: Macro Expert

Affected Version From: 4.0

Affected Version To: 4.0

Patch Exists: NO

Related CWE:

CPE:

Metasploit:

Other Scripts:

Platforms Tested: Windows 7 x86

2016

Macro Expert 4.0 Multiple Elevation of Privilege

Macro Expert installs as a service with an unquoted service path running with SYSTEM privileges. This could potentially allow an authorized but non-privileged local user to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the system. Additionally, the default installation path suffers from weak folder permission which an unauthorized user in the BUILTINUsers group could take advantage of.

Mitigation:

The vendor should update the software to use proper quoting for the service path and fix the folder permission issue.

Source

Exploit-DB raw data:

# Exploit Title: Macro Expert 4.0 Multiple Elevation of Privilege
# Date: 26/09/2016
# Exploit Author: Tulpa
# Contact: tulpa@tulpa-security.com
# Author website: www.tulpa-security.com
# Vendor Homepage: http://www.macro-expert.com/
# Software Link: http://www.macro-expert.com/download.htm
# Version: Software Version 4.0
# Tested on: Windows 7 x86
# Shout-out to carbonated and ozzie_offsec

1. Description:
 Macro Expert installs as a service with an unquoted service path running with SYSTEM

privileges. This could potentially allow an authorized but non-privileged local
user to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the system. Additionally the

default installation path suffers from weak folder permission which an unauthorized user

in the BUILTIN\Users group could take advantage of.

2. Proof

C:\Program Files\GrassSoft>sc qc "Macro Expert"
[SC] QueryServiceConfig SUCCESS

SERVICE_NAME: Macro Expert
        TYPE               : 10  WIN32_OWN_PROCESS
        START_TYPE         : 2   AUTO_START
        ERROR_CONTROL      : 1   NORMAL
        BINARY_PATH_NAME   : c:\program files\grasssoft\macro expert\MacroService.exe
        LOAD_ORDER_GROUP   :
        TAG                : 0
        DISPLAY_NAME       : Macro Expert
        DEPENDENCIES       :
        SERVICE_START_NAME : LocalSystem

C:\Program Files\GrassSoft>cacls "Macro Expert"
C:\Program Files\GrassSoft\Macro Expert BUILTIN\Users:(OI)(CI)C
                                        NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller:(ID)F
                                        NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller:(CI)(IO)(ID)F
                                        NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(ID)F
                                        NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)(ID)F
                                        BUILTIN\Administrators:(ID)F
                                        BUILTIN\Administrators:(OI)(CI)(IO)(ID)F
                                        BUILTIN\Users:(ID)R
                                        BUILTIN\Users:(OI)(CI)(IO)(ID)(special access:)
                                                                      GENERIC_READ

                                                                       GENERIC_EXECUTE

                                        CREATOR OWNER:(OI)(CI)(IO)(ID)F


3. Exploit:

A successful attempt would require the local user to be able to insert their
code in the system root path undetected by the OS or other security applications
where it could potentially be executed during application startup or reboot.
If successful, the local user's code would execute with the elevated privileges
of the application.