CVE-2019-25287
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:XSummary
CVE-2019-25287 is a high-severity Unquoted Search Path or Element (CWE-428) vulnerability. Its CVSS base score is 8.5 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Path Interception by Unquoted Path (T1574.009); ranked at the 5th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to CM-10 (Software Usage Restrictions) and CM-6 (Configuration Settings) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2019-25287 is an unquoted service path vulnerability in Adaware Web Companion version 4.8.2078.3950, specifically affecting the WCAssistantService. The flaw stems from an unquoted path at C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Web Companion\Application\, which enables local users to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and maps to CWE-428 (Unquoted Search Path or Element).
A local attacker with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability by placing a malicious executable in a directory that the system searches before the legitimate service binary due to the unquoted path. Upon WCAssistantService startup, the injected code executes with LocalSystem privileges, allowing high-impact compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system.
Advisories such as the VulnCheck report detail the unquoted service path issue in WCAssistantService, while Exploit-DB hosts a proof-of-concept exploit at exploits/47597. The vendor's site at webcompanion.com provides further context on the software, though specific patch details are not outlined in the CVE record.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2019-19386
Vulnerability Data
Adaware Web Companion version 4.8.2078.3950 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the WCAssistantService that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Web Companion\Application\ to inject malicious code…
more
that would execute with LocalSystem privileges during service startup.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Unquoted service path in WCAssistantService directly enables path interception for privilege escalation to LocalSystem via malicious executable placement.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Enforces secure configuration settings for Windows services, including properly quoted executable paths to directly prevent unquoted service path vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-25287.
Requires identification, reporting, and timely remediation of flaws such as the unquoted service path in Adaware Web Companion's WCAssistantService.
Restricts execution to authorized software only, preventing the malicious executable placed by local attackers from running during service startup exploitation.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Secure SDLC practices directly prevent path-handling flaws such as unquoted elements during development.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing in development can detect unquoted search-path issues before deployment.
Enforcing controlled software installation can prevent unquoted search-path elements in executables and scripts.
Secure development lifecycle practices include input validation and path handling that reduce unquoted search-path weaknesses.
Secure system architecture and engineering principles require safe path construction and quoting conventions.
Secure coding standards directly mandate quoting search paths and avoiding unsafe path construction.
Change-management processes can enforce review of path-handling changes that might introduce unquoted elements.