CVE-2024-9157
📋 TL;DR
A privilege escalation vulnerability in Synaptics audio drivers allows local authenticated attackers to load arbitrary DLLs into privileged processes. This affects systems running end-of-life Synaptics audio drivers. Attackers could gain SYSTEM-level privileges by exploiting this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Synaptics Audio Drivers
⚠️ 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
Complete system compromise with SYSTEM privileges, enabling installation of persistent malware, credential theft, and lateral movement across the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation to SYSTEM, allowing attackers to bypass security controls, disable antivirus, and establish persistence on compromised systems.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper endpoint protection and least privilege principles are enforced, though privilege escalation would still be possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local authenticated access. DLL hijacking/loading vulnerability in privileged service.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: N/A
Vendor Advisory: https://www.synaptics.com/sites/default/files/2025-03/audio-driver-security-brief-2025-03-11.pdf
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
No official patch available. Product is end-of-life. Remove affected drivers entirely.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove Synaptics Audio Drivers
WindowsUninstall end-of-life Synaptics audio drivers completely from affected systems
Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall Synaptics Audio Driver
wmic product where name="Synaptics Audio Driver" call uninstall
Restrict Service Permissions
WindowsApply strict ACLs to CxUIUSvc64.exe and CxUIUSvc32.exe to prevent unauthorized access
icacls "C:\Windows\System32\CxUIUSvc64.exe" /deny Everyone:(RX)
icacls "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\CxUIUSvc32.exe" /deny Everyone:(RX)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Replace with alternative audio drivers from system manufacturer
- Implement application whitelisting to block execution of unauthorized DLLs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if CxUIUSvc64.exe or CxUIUSvc32.exe exist in system directories and Synaptics audio drivers are installedCheck Version:
wmic product get name,version | findstr /i synapticsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Synaptics audio drivers are no longer installed and CxUIUSvc*.exe files are removed or restricted📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Process creation events for CxUIUSvc64.exe or CxUIUSvc32.exe with suspicious parent processes
- DLL loading events from these services to unusual paths
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - local privilege escalation only
SIEM Query:
ProcessName IN ('CxUIUSvc64.exe', 'CxUIUSvc32.exe') AND ParentProcessName NOT IN ('services.exe', 'svchost.exe')