CVE-2019-25266: Wondershare Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2019-25266 Overview

CVE-2019-25266 is an unquoted service path vulnerability affecting Wondershare Application Framework Service version 2.4.3.231. This vulnerability allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by exploiting improper quoting of service executable paths in Windows environments.

When a Windows service is configured with a path containing spaces that is not enclosed in quotation marks, the operating system may interpret parts of the path as executable names. Attackers can exploit this behavior by placing malicious executables in specific directory locations along the unquoted path, effectively hijacking the service's execution context when the service starts or restarts.

Critical Impact

Local attackers can achieve privilege escalation by placing malicious executables in strategic path locations, potentially gaining SYSTEM-level access when the vulnerable service executes.

Affected Products

• Wondershare Application Framework Service 2.4.3.231
• Wondershare Dr.Fone (bundled with Application Framework Service)
• Other Wondershare products utilizing the Application Framework Service component

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-06 - CVE CVE-2019-25266 published to NVD
• 2026-02-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25266

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-428 (Unquoted Search Path or Element), which describes a flaw where software uses an unquoted search path that contains spaces, allowing attackers to influence which executable is loaded. The Wondershare Application Framework Service (WSAppService) is installed with a service path that includes spaces but lacks proper quotation marks around the full path specification.

When Windows encounters an unquoted path with spaces during service execution, it attempts to locate the executable by parsing the path at each space character. For example, if the service path is C:\Program Files\Wondershare\Application\Service.exe, Windows will sequentially attempt to execute: C:\Program.exe, then C:\Program Files\Wondershare\Application\Service.exe. An attacker with write access to directories in the path hierarchy can place a malicious executable (e.g., Program.exe in C:\) to intercept execution.

The local attack vector requires the attacker to have local system access and write permissions to a directory in the service path. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker's payload executes with the privileges of the service account, typically SYSTEM, leading to complete system compromise.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper configuration of the Windows service registration. During installation, the Wondershare Application Framework Service executable path was registered in the Windows Service Control Manager without enclosing quotation marks. This configuration oversight creates an exploitable condition where the path parsing behavior of Windows can be abused.

Proper service registration should use quoted paths such as "C:\Program Files\Wondershare\Application\Service.exe" to ensure Windows interprets the entire string as a single path element, preventing path injection attacks.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the target system and the ability to write files to directories within the unquoted service path. The attack flow proceeds as follows:

1. Reconnaissance: The attacker identifies the vulnerable service and its unquoted path using tools like wmic service get name,pathname,startmode or registry inspection
2. Payload Placement: A malicious executable is placed in a directory where Windows will parse the path (e.g., C:\Program.exe or C:\Program Files\Wondershare\Application.exe)
3. Service Trigger: The attacker waits for or triggers a service restart (system reboot, service crash, or manual restart)
4. Privilege Escalation: The malicious executable runs with the service's elevated privileges, typically SYSTEM

The vulnerability can be exploited using common Windows privilege escalation tools and techniques. For detailed technical information, refer to the Exploit-DB #47617 entry and the VulnCheck Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25266

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of unexpected executables in C:\ root directory (e.g., Program.exe)
• Suspicious executables in C:\Program Files\Wondershare\ with names that match partial path components
• Unusual process spawning from the Wondershare Application Framework Service
• Service crash events followed by execution of unrecognized binaries

Detection Strategies

• Query Windows services for unquoted paths using PowerShell: Get-WmiObject win32_service | Where-Object {$_.PathName -notlike '"*"' -and $_.PathName -like '* *'}
• Monitor file creation events in directories along the service path hierarchy
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables from running
• Use endpoint detection tools to alert on new executables appearing in sensitive directories

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Windows Security Event logging for service start events (Event ID 7045) and process creation (Event ID 4688)
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on directories susceptible to path injection attacks
• Configure SentinelOne Singularity Platform to detect privilege escalation attempts and suspicious service behavior
• Monitor for reconnaissance commands targeting service path enumeration

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25266

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit all installed services for unquoted paths and remediate immediately
• Restrict write permissions on directories in the Windows system path hierarchy
• Remove or update the vulnerable Wondershare Application Framework Service to a patched version
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation attempts

Patch Information

Affected users should check the Wondershare Official Website for updated versions of their products. For users of Wondershare Dr.Fone, visit the Wondershare Dr.Fone Product Page for the latest software updates that may include fixes for this vulnerability.

Organizations should prioritize updating Wondershare software components and verify that the service path is properly quoted after installation. If no patch is available, consider implementing the workarounds below.

Workarounds

• Manually correct the service path by adding quotation marks using the registry editor at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WSAppService
• Restrict NTFS permissions on directories in the path to prevent unauthorized file creation
• Disable or remove the Wondershare Application Framework Service if not required for business operations
• Implement application control policies to block execution of unauthorized binaries in sensitive directories

# Configuration example - Fix unquoted service path via registry
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WSAppService" /v ImagePath /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d "\"C:\Program Files\Wondershare\Application Framework Service\WSAppService.exe\"" /f