CVE-2022-50929
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2022-50929 is an unquoted service path vulnerability in Connectify Hotspot 2018 that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Attackers can place malicious executables in the service path to hijack execution when the ConnectifyService starts. This affects users running Connectify Hotspot 2018 on Windows systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Connectify Hotspot 2018
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise via privilege escalation to SYSTEM-level access, enabling complete control over the affected machine.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to install malware, steal credentials, or establish persistence on the system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions restrict write access to system directories and endpoint protection blocks suspicious executables.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires local access and ability to create files in system directories. Proof of concept available on Exploit-DB.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not available
Vendor Advisory: https://www.connectify.me/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
No official patch available. Consider upgrading to newer Connectify versions or implementing workarounds.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Quote Service Path
windowsModify the ConnectifyService registry entry to use quoted paths
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ConnectifyService" /v ImagePath /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d "\"C:\Program Files (x86)\Connectify\ConnectifyService.exe\"" /f
Restrict Directory Permissions
windowsSet strict ACLs on Connectify installation directory to prevent unauthorized writes
icacls "C:\Program Files (x86)\Connectify" /inheritance:r /grant:r "SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)F" "Administrators:(OI)(CI)F" "Users:(OI)(CI)RX"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Uninstall Connectify Hotspot 2018 if not required
- Implement strict endpoint detection and response (EDR) rules to monitor for suspicious file creation in system directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Connectify Hotspot 2018 is installed and examine the ConnectifyService registry key for unquoted paths: reg query "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ConnectifyService" /v ImagePathCheck Version:
Check installed programs in Control Panel or run: wmic product where "name like '%Connectify%'" get name,versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the ImagePath registry value is properly quoted and directory permissions restrict write access to non-administrative users📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing unexpected service starts/stops
- Security logs showing file creation in Connectify directory by non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from ConnectifyService.exe
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND NewProcessName LIKE '%ConnectifyService.exe%' AND SubjectUserName NOT IN ('SYSTEM','Administrator')