CVE-2024-4461
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a local attacker to escalate privileges on Windows systems running vulnerable SugarSync versions. By exploiting an unquoted service path, an attacker can execute arbitrary code with higher privileges than they normally have. Only Windows users with SugarSync versions before 4.1.3 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- SugarSync
⚠️ 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
Local attacker gains SYSTEM-level privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, and persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
Local user with limited privileges escalates to administrator/SYSTEM level to install malware, access sensitive files, or modify system configurations.
If Mitigated
Attack fails due to proper access controls, service hardening, or the vulnerability being patched before exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the system and knowledge of unquoted service path vulnerabilities. No public exploit code has been identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.1.3
Vendor Advisory: https://www.incibe.es/en/incibe-cert/notices/aviso/unquoted-path-or-search-item-vulnerability-sugarsync
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download SugarSync version 4.1.3 or later from official sources. 2. Run the installer to upgrade. 3. Restart the system to ensure the updated service is running.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Manually quote service path
windowsModify the SugarSync service configuration to use quoted paths in the service executable path.
sc config "SugarSync" binPath= "\"C:\Program Files\SugarSync\SugarSync.exe\""
Restrict service permissions
windowsLimit who can start/stop the SugarSync service and modify its configuration.
sc sdset "SugarSync" D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;IU)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;SU)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove local user access to vulnerable systems where possible.
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries in service directories.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check SugarSync version via 'SugarSync.exe --version' or in About dialog. If version < 4.1.3, check service path with 'sc qc SugarSync' and look for unquoted paths containing spaces.Check Version:
"C:\Program Files\SugarSync\SugarSync.exe" --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm SugarSync version is 4.1.3 or higher and verify service path is properly quoted using 'sc qc SugarSync' command.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Windows Event Logs showing unexpected service modifications
- Security logs showing privilege escalation attempts
- Application logs showing SugarSync service restarts from unusual locations
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND (ProcessName LIKE '%SugarSync%' OR NewProcessName LIKE '%SugarSync%') AND SubjectUserName NOT IN [authorized_users]