WiX Burn-based bundles are vulnerable to binary hijack when run as SYSTEM
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub.
Summary
# Summary Burn uses an unprotected C:\Windows\Temp directory to copy binaries and run them from there. This directory is not entirely protected against low privilege users. # Details When a bundle runs as SYSTEM user, Burn uses GetTempPathW which points to an insecure directory C:\Windows\Temp to drop and load multiple binaries. Standard users can hijack the binary before it's loaded in the application resulting in elevation of privileges. ``` icacls c:\windows\temp BUILTIN\Users:(CI)(S,WD,AD,X) BUILTIN\Administrators:(F) BUILTIN\Administrators:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F) NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(F) NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F) CREATOR OWNER:(OI)(CI)(IO)(F) ``` Built in users(non-administrators) have special permissions to this folder and can create files and write to this directory. While they do not have explicit read permissions, there is a way they can monitor the changes to this directory using ReadDirectoryChangesW API and thus figure out randomized folder names created inside this directory as wel # PoC PoC works against the against visual studio enterprise with update 3 installer ## Reproduction steps As a standard user, run the poc. Mount the iso and run visual studio [installer ](https://myvs.download.prss.microsoft.com/dbazure/en_visual_studio_enterprise_2015_with_update_3_x86_x64_dvd_8923288.iso?t=8132cd54-4b83-4478-8b73-fd9eb93437bf&P1=1709239640&P2=601&P3=2&P4=iorgKPv%2bG8n2NANTPUVoB92rr8t3W4XM594%2f9BtQQJrYrr8SwxGDxV%2fj%2f2F6Ulto0bXrIaFoZUr4yV37YAsOZVpM29IMtQEO0673AbDVuTe93qDb6wb7xdlpZSse0LZURUwwIFw5cwHQS2ZtvkunXE0osgXtEBT2IzVbPwVH39%2fum854xb4e2Dp61wgNrMZcOLLluBbeA3KX1sP3mm7WAWXBvlFiQWEnTfR5XH5mlLyPy2qfqCXWCjl84jNX7uY%2bpLR1IbfeD2JlcIQNeW2QrvmmqRrRbGvvaCA97IaSjM16XcDqVjvAEGW3sWXUc7y%2fEf68WZIyT7iilaEDUvaqqA%3d%3d&su=1)as local system account. The PoC should hijack the the binaries dropped by vs installer and a child process "notepad.exe" will be running. # Impact This is an Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability where a low privileged user can hijack binaries in an unprotected path C:\Windows\Temp to elevate to the SYSTEM user privileges.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | PanelSwWix4.Sdk (NuGet) | before 5.0.0-psw-wix.0265-49 | 5.0.0-psw-wix.0265-49 | Patch available | GHSA-g4v6-69p6-q3p4 |
- PanelSwWix4.Sdk (NuGet) Vendor— Affected before 5.0.0-psw-wix.0265-49 Fixed in 5.0.0-psw-wix.0265-49 Patch available GHSA-g4v6-69p6-q3p4
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-g4v6-69p6-q3p4 PanelSwWix4.Sdk (NuGet) Fixed in 5.0.0-psw-wix.0265-49 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-g4v6-69p6-q3p4
References
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences