📄 Description (English)
Shrew Soft VPN Client 2.2.2 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can place malicious executables in the unquoted service path to gain elevated access during service startup or system reboot.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2019-25283 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Shrew Soft VPN Client 2.2.2 exploiting unquoted service paths, allowing local attackers to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. This vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations using Shrew Soft VPN for remote access, particularly in Saudi government and financial sectors. While no public exploit is available, the vulnerability is trivial to exploit and requires only local access, making it a critical concern for endpoint security.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 27, 2026 03:08
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi government agencies (NCA, NCSC), financial institutions (SAMA-regulated banks), and energy sector organizations (ARAMCO, SEC) that deploy Shrew Soft VPN for secure remote access. The unquoted service path vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments with shared workstations or where endpoint security controls are insufficient. Compromised VPN clients could provide attackers with elevated access to critical infrastructure networks, potentially leading to lateral movement within government and financial networks.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government (NCA, NCSC, Ministry of Interior)
Banking and Financial Services (SAMA-regulated institutions)
Energy (ARAMCO, SEC)
Telecommunications (STC, Mobily)
Healthcare (MOH)
Defense and Military
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all systems running Shrew Soft VPN Client 2.2.2 using endpoint detection tools and asset inventory systems
2. Restrict local administrative access and implement principle of least privilege
3. Apply file integrity monitoring to service executable paths
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade Shrew Soft VPN Client to version 2.2.3 or later immediately
2. Verify patch installation by checking service path configuration in Windows Registry (HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services)
3. Restart affected systems to ensure patched service is loaded
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Implement AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control to restrict executable execution in service paths
2. Enable Windows Audit Policy for service creation and modification events
3. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with privilege escalation detection
4. Restrict write permissions on service installation directories
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor Windows Event ID 4697 (Service installed) for suspicious service paths
2. Alert on file creation/modification in Program Files directories by non-system accounts
3. Monitor process creation with SYSTEM privileges from unexpected parent processes
4. Track registry modifications to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تقوم بتشغيل عميل Shrew Soft VPN الإصدار 2.2.2 باستخدام أدوات كشف نقاط النهاية
2. تقييد الوصول الإداري المحلي وتطبيق مبدأ الامتياز الأدنى
3. تطبيق مراقبة سلامة الملفات على مسارات الخدمات
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية عميل Shrew Soft VPN إلى الإصدار 2.2.3 أو أحدث فوراً
2. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح بفحص تكوين مسار الخدمة في سجل Windows
3. إعادة تشغيل الأنظمة المتأثرة لضمان تحميل الخدمة المصححة
الضوابط البديلة:
1. تطبيق AppLocker أو Windows Defender Application Control لتقييد تنفيذ الملفات
2. تفعيل سياسة تدقيق Windows لأحداث إنشاء وتعديل الخدمات
3. نشر حلول كشف الاستجابة على نقاط النهاية (EDR)
4. تقييد أذونات الكتابة على مجلدات تثبيت الخدمات
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة معرف حدث Windows 4697 للخدمات المريبة
2. التنبيه على إنشاء/تعديل الملفات في مجلدات Program Files
3. مراقبة إنشاء العمليات بامتيازات SYSTEM من عمليات أب غير متوقعة
4. تتبع تعديلات السجل على خدمات Windows
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Access Control Policies
ECC 2024 A.6.1.2 - User Registration and De-registration
ECC 2024 A.8.2.3 - Segregation of Duties
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Change Management
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-1 - Asset Management
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control
SAMA CSF PR.PT-3 - Protective Technology
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and Analysis
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.15 - Access Control
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User Endpoint Devices
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.22 - Restricted Administration Activities
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.32 - Change Management
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 2.2.4 - Configure system security parameters
PCI DSS 6.2 - Ensure security patches are installed
PCI DSS 7.1 - Limit access to system components