CVE-2019-25344: Wondershare MobileGo Privilege Escalation

CVE-2019-25344 Overview

CVE-2019-25344 is an insecure file permissions vulnerability affecting Wondershare MobileGo version 8.5.0. The vulnerability exists due to improper access controls on executable files within the application directory, allowing local users to modify critical application binaries. An attacker with local access can replace the original MobileGo.exe with a malicious executable, enabling them to create new user accounts and add them to the Administrators group with full system access.

Critical Impact

Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain administrative access to the system by replacing application executables with malicious code.

Affected Products

• Wondershare MobileGo 8.5.0
• Windows installations with default file permissions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-12 - CVE CVE-2019-25344 published to NVD
• 2026-02-12 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25344

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource). The core issue stems from Wondershare MobileGo 8.5.0 failing to properly restrict write permissions on its installation directory and executable files. When the application is installed, the file system permissions are configured in a way that allows non-privileged local users to modify the application's executable files.

The vulnerability enables a local attacker to perform binary planting attacks by replacing legitimate application executables with malicious ones. When the application or system subsequently executes the replaced binary (potentially with elevated privileges or through a scheduled task), the attacker's code runs in that security context.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2019-25344 is improper file permission assignment during the installation of Wondershare MobileGo 8.5.0. The installer fails to apply restrictive ACLs (Access Control Lists) to the application directory and its contents. This allows local users who should not have write access to modify or replace critical executable files such as MobileGo.exe.

Proper security practice dictates that application directories, especially those containing executables, should be writable only by administrators or system accounts. The failure to implement this principle creates an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, requiring the attacker to have an existing account on the target system. The attack proceeds as follows:

1. Reconnaissance: The attacker identifies that Wondershare MobileGo 8.5.0 is installed and locates the installation directory
2. Permission Analysis: The attacker confirms that the application directory has insecure write permissions for non-privileged users
3. Binary Replacement: The attacker creates a malicious executable designed to perform privileged operations (such as creating administrator accounts) and replaces MobileGo.exe with this payload
4. Execution Trigger: When the application is launched—either by the user, a scheduled task, or a service—the malicious executable runs, potentially with elevated privileges
5. Privilege Escalation: The malicious code executes its payload, such as creating a new administrator account, granting the attacker persistent elevated access

For detailed technical information on exploitation techniques, see the Exploit-DB #47667 entry and the VulnCheck Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25344

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected modifications to MobileGo.exe file timestamp, hash, or digital signature
• Creation of new user accounts, especially those added to the Administrators group without authorization
• File integrity monitoring alerts on files within the Wondershare MobileGo installation directory
• Event logs showing execution of MobileGo.exe from unusual parent processes

Detection Strategies

• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on the Wondershare MobileGo installation directory to detect unauthorized file modifications
• Monitor Windows Security Event Logs for user account creation events (Event ID 4720) and group membership changes (Event ID 4732)
• Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify suspicious executable replacements and behavioral anomalies
• Audit file permissions on installed applications to identify directories with overly permissive ACLs

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed auditing on the MobileGo installation directory to log all file modification attempts
• Configure alerts for any changes to executable files outside of expected update windows
• Monitor for net user and net localgroup command executions that could indicate account manipulation
• Implement application allowlisting to prevent execution of unauthorized executables

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25344

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit and restrict file permissions on the Wondershare MobileGo installation directory to allow write access only for administrators
• Consider removing or disabling Wondershare MobileGo 8.5.0 if it is not essential for business operations
• Verify the integrity of MobileGo.exe by checking its digital signature and file hash against known-good values
• Review user accounts and group memberships for unauthorized additions to the Administrators group

Patch Information

No vendor patch has been identified for this vulnerability. Users should apply manual file permission restrictions or consider migrating to alternative software with proper security controls. For more information about the product, see the Wondershare MobileGo product page.

Workarounds

• Manually configure restrictive NTFS permissions on the MobileGo installation directory to prevent non-administrator write access
• Use Windows Software Restriction Policies or AppLocker to prevent execution of unsigned or modified executables from the application directory
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block unauthorized binary modifications
• Consider running the application in a sandboxed or virtualized environment to limit the impact of potential exploitation

# Configuration example - Restrict permissions on MobileGo directory
# Run as Administrator in PowerShell
icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\Wondershare\MobileGo" /inheritance:r
icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\Wondershare\MobileGo" /grant:r Administrators:F
icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\Wondershare\MobileGo" /grant:r SYSTEM:F
icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\Wondershare\MobileGo" /grant:r Users:RX