CVE-2018-18435

KioWare Server version 4.9.6 and older installs by default to "C:\kioware_com" with weak folder permissions granting any user full permission "Everyone: (F)" to the contents of the directory and it's sub-folders. In addition, the program installs a service called "KWSService" which runs as "Localsystem", this will allow any user to escalate privileges to "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" by substituting the service's binary with a malicious one.

• CWE-732

• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/151031/KioWare-Server-4.9.6-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
• https://github.com/active-labs/Advisories/blob/master/2019/ACTIVE-2019-002.md
• https://m.kioware.com/news/kioware-press-releases/kioware_server_security_patch_updatePatch, Vendor Advisory
• https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46093/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
• https://www.kioware.com/patch.aspxPatch, Vendor Advisory
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/151031/KioWare-Server-4.9.6-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
• https://github.com/active-labs/Advisories/blob/master/2019/ACTIVE-2019-002.md
• https://m.kioware.com/news/kioware-press-releases/kioware_server_security_patch_updatePatch, Vendor Advisory
• https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46093/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
• https://www.kioware.com/patch.aspxPatch, Vendor Advisory

Published

Mar 21, 2019

Last Modified

Jun 17, 2026

Status

Modified