CVE-2023-27469
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit allows attackers to delete arbitrary files or cause denial of service by sending specially crafted ALPC messages. It affects users running Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit 4.4.0.220 on Windows systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit
📦 What is this software?
Anti Exploit by Malwarebytes
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through deletion of critical system files, potentially leading to permanent data loss or system instability requiring reinstallation.
Likely Case
Local denial of service through deletion of user files or application files, disrupting normal operations and requiring file restoration.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions and access controls are in place, potentially only affecting non-critical user files.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the system and knowledge of ALPC message crafting. No public exploit code has been released.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.4.0.221 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.malwarebytes.com/secure/cves/cve-2023-27469
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit. 2. Check for updates in settings. 3. Install available updates. 4. Restart the system to ensure complete patch application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit
windowsTemporarily disable the vulnerable component until patching can be completed
Right-click Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit system tray icon → Select 'Disable Protection'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file permissions and access controls to limit potential damage from arbitrary file deletion
- Monitor for suspicious ALPC communication and file deletion activities using endpoint detection tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit version in the application interface or via 'About' section. If version is exactly 4.4.0.220, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check application version in Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit GUI under Help → AboutVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the version has been updated to 4.4.0.221 or later in the application interface.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual ALPC communication patterns
- Unexpected file deletion events in system logs
- Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit crash logs
Network Indicators:
- Local ALPC traffic patterns (difficult to monitor externally)
SIEM Query:
EventID:4663 OR EventID:4656 with TargetObject containing suspicious file paths AND ProcessName containing 'mbae'