Remote Utilities Host <=7.7.3.0 sets insecure ACLs on all DLL files in the installation directory (C:\Program Files (x86)\Remote Utilities - Host\), granting FULL CONTROL (F) to the built-in Everyone group (BUILTIN\Everyone, S-1-1-0). A Windows service running as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM loads DLLs from this directory. The DLLs are file-locked at runtime, but a race window exists when the service is stopped (e.g. during a software update or following a crash), during which a local unprivileged attacker can replace a DLL with a malicious payload. Upon service restart, the payload executes as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. The DLL confirmed as actively loaded during testing is libasset32.dll. Additional DLLs in the same directory (eventmsg.dll, libcodec32.dll, vp8encoder.dll, vp8decoder.dll, webmvorbisdecoder.dll, webmvorbisencoder.dll, webmmux.dll) share identical insecure permissions.
Advisories

No advisories yet.

Fixes

Solution

* Remove Everyone:(F) ACL from all DLL files under the installation directory. Restrict to: SYSTEM (Full Control), Administrators (Full Control), Users/Authenticated Users (Read & Execute). Enforce recursively in installer, update routine, and repair mechanism. * Implement cryptographic signature verification of all loaded DLLs at service startup. * Use atomic DLL replacement during updates (write to temp path, verify signature, rename).


Workaround

Manually correct DLL ACLs using icacls: icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\Remote Utilities - Host\*.dll" /remove "Everyone" /grant "BUILTIN\Users:(RX)" /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(F)" /grant "BUILTIN\Administrators:(F)"

History

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Remote Utilities
Remote Utilities remote Utilities Host
Vendors & Products Remote Utilities
Remote Utilities remote Utilities Host

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Remote Utilities Host <=7.7.3.0 sets insecure ACLs on all DLL files in the installation directory (C:\Program Files (x86)\Remote Utilities - Host\), granting FULL CONTROL (F) to the built-in Everyone group (BUILTIN\Everyone, S-1-1-0). A Windows service running as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM loads DLLs from this directory. The DLLs are file-locked at runtime, but a race window exists when the service is stopped (e.g. during a software update or following a crash), during which a local unprivileged attacker can replace a DLL with a malicious payload. Upon service restart, the payload executes as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. The DLL confirmed as actively loaded during testing is libasset32.dll. Additional DLLs in the same directory (eventmsg.dll, libcodec32.dll, vp8encoder.dll, vp8decoder.dll, webmvorbisdecoder.dll, webmvorbisencoder.dll, webmmux.dll) share identical insecure permissions.
Title Local Privilege Escalation via Insecure DLL Permissions in Remote Utilities Host <=7.7.3.0
Weaknesses CWE-732
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: NCSC.ch

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-21T11:54:27.254Z

Reserved: 2026-06-30T09:38:07.326Z

Link: CVE-2026-14208

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-21T11:54:20.886Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-21T11:17:04.287

Modified: 2026-08-21T12:16:22.283

Link: CVE-2026-14208

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-21T12:59:47Z

Weaknesses