CVE-2022-50928: BlueSoleilCS Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2022-50928 Overview

BlueSoleilCS 5.4.277 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability (CWE-428) in its Windows service configuration that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BlueSoleilCS.exe to inject malicious executables and escalate privileges on affected Windows systems.

Critical Impact

Local privilege escalation through unquoted service path exploitation, enabling attackers to execute malicious code with elevated SYSTEM privileges when the Windows service starts.

Affected Products

• BlueSoleilCS version 5.4.277
• IVT Corporation BlueSoleil Bluetooth software
• Windows systems with BlueSoleilCS service installed

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-13 - CVE CVE-2022-50928 published to NVD
• 2026-01-13 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-50928

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as an unquoted service path issue, which occurs when a Windows service executable path contains spaces but is not enclosed in quotation marks. When Windows attempts to start the BlueSoleilCS service, it parses the unquoted path C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BlueSoleilCS.exe in a sequential manner, looking for executable files at each space-delimited segment of the path.

The service runs with elevated privileges, meaning any code executed through this vulnerability would inherit SYSTEM-level permissions. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Bluetooth management software may be deployed across multiple workstations.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from improper service registration during the BlueSoleilCS software installation process. When the service is registered with Windows, the binary path is stored without proper quotation marks around the full path string. Windows service paths containing spaces must be enclosed in quotes to prevent path interpretation attacks. The absence of these quotes creates an exploitable condition where Windows will attempt to execute files at intermediate path locations before reaching the intended executable.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to have existing access to the target system with write permissions to specific directories in the path hierarchy. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by placing a malicious executable named Program.exe in the C:\ directory, or IVT.exe in the C:\Program Files\ directory. When the vulnerable service starts or restarts, Windows will execute the attacker's malicious file instead of the legitimate BlueSoleilCS executable.

The exploitation process involves these steps: First, the attacker identifies the unquoted service path in the registry or through service enumeration. Then, they create a malicious payload executable and place it at one of the exploitable path locations (e.g., C:\Program.exe). Finally, when the service restarts—either through system reboot, manual restart, or crash recovery—the malicious executable runs with SYSTEM privileges.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-50928

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of unexpected executables named Program.exe, IVT.exe, or BlueSoleil.exe in directories like C:\, C:\Program Files\, or C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\
• Unusual process execution chains where services.exe spawns unexpected child processes
• Registry modifications to the BlueSoleilCS service configuration
• File creation events in root directories or Program Files parent folders

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Windows service creation and modification events for unquoted paths containing spaces
• Implement file integrity monitoring on directories commonly targeted by unquoted service path attacks (e.g., C:\, C:\Program Files\)
• Use Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous process spawning from service executables
• Query Windows registry for services with unquoted ImagePath values using PowerShell or WMI

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Windows Security Event logging for service installations (Event ID 7045) and modifications
• Deploy SentinelOne agents to detect and block malicious executable placement attempts
• Configure alerts for new executable files created in system root directories
• Monitor for privilege escalation patterns where low-privilege users gain SYSTEM access

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-50928

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit all Windows services for unquoted service paths using wmic service get name,displayname,pathname,startmode command
• Restrict write permissions on directories that could be exploited (e.g., C:\, C:\Program Files\)
• Consider disabling or uninstalling BlueSoleilCS if not actively required for business operations
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executable execution

Patch Information

No vendor patch has been confirmed available for this vulnerability. IVT Corporation, the vendor of BlueSoleil software, should be contacted directly for remediation guidance. Organizations can reference the IVT Corporation Archive for historical vendor information. Additional technical details are available through the Exploit-DB #50761 entry and the VulnCheck Bluetooth Advisory.

Workarounds

• Manually correct the service path by adding quotation marks to the registry entry at HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BlueSoleilCS
• Remove write permissions from exploitable directories for non-administrative users
• Implement SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect and prevent exploitation attempts
• Consider replacing BlueSoleil with alternative Bluetooth management software that does not contain this vulnerability

# Registry fix to quote the service path (run as Administrator)
# WARNING: Modifying registry incorrectly can cause system issues - backup first
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BlueSoleilCS" /v ImagePath /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d "\"C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BlueSoleilCS.exe\"" /f