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Local Privilege Escalation via Unquoted Service Path in Arcsoft PhotoStudio 6.0.0.172 (ArcSoft Exchange Service)

IdentifiersCVE-2023-53946CWE-428· Unquoted Search Path or Element

Arcsoft PhotoStudio 6.0.0.172 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the Windows service "ArcSoft Exchange Service". Because the service binary path is not properly quoted, Windows may resolve and execute an attacker-controlled executable placed earlier in the interpreted search path (e.g., in a writable directory corresponding to a space-delimited segment of the service path). A local attacker can leverage this to cause the service to launch the malicious executable, resulting in arbitrary code execution in the service’s security context (reported as SYSTEM-level).

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Impact

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Successful exploitation allows local privilege escalation to SYSTEM (or the service account context) via arbitrary code execution when the vulnerable service is started/restarted. This can enable full host compromise, including disabling security controls, credential theft, persistence, and lateral movement from the affected endpoint.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Ensure Windows service ImagePath values containing spaces are quoted; audit for unquoted service paths and remediate. Restrict write permissions on directories that could be abused in the service path resolution (especially near the root of the system drive and application install paths). Monitor for unexpected executables appearing in common unquoted-path abuse locations and for anomalous service start events.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Correct the service configuration by updating the ArcSoft Exchange Service ImagePath to a fully qualified, properly quoted executable path (e.g., wrapping the path in double quotes). After correcting the configuration, remove any attacker-planted executables from affected directories and restart the service (or reboot) to ensure the corrected path is in effect.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

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ArcsoftPhotostudioapplication

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