📄 Description (English)
IDT PC Audio 1.0.6499.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in the STacSV service to inject malicious code that would execute with LocalSystem account permissions during service startup.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2020-36959 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in IDT PC Audio 1.0.6499.0 exploiting an unquoted service path in the STacSV service. Attackers with local access can inject malicious executables to achieve code execution with LocalSystem privileges. While no public exploit exists, the vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations where audio drivers are deployed, particularly in government and enterprise environments.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 27, 2026 07:39
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily affects Saudi government entities, financial institutions, and enterprises running IDT audio drivers on Windows systems. High-risk sectors include: (1) SAMA-regulated banking institutions using affected workstations, (2) Government agencies under NCA oversight, (3) Healthcare facilities with clinical workstations, (4) ARAMCO and energy sector critical infrastructure. The local privilege escalation capability enables insider threats and compromised user accounts to gain system-level control, potentially leading to lateral movement and data exfiltration.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services (SAMA-regulated)
Government and Public Administration (NCA oversight)
Healthcare and Medical Institutions
Energy and Oil & Gas (ARAMCO, downstream)
Telecommunications (STC, Mobily, Zain)
Defense and Security
Education and Research
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1547.001 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
T1134.003 - Access Token Manipulation: Make and Impersonate Token
T1548.004 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Elevated Execution with Prompt
T1574.008 - Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Search Order Hijacking
T1053.005 - Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all systems running IDT PC Audio 1.0.6499.0 using asset inventory tools
2. Restrict local access to affected systems through access controls and privileged account management
3. Monitor STacSV service startup events (Event ID 7045 in Windows Security logs)
PATCHING:
1. Update IDT PC Audio to version 1.0.6500.0 or later immediately
2. Verify patch deployment across all affected endpoints
3. Test audio functionality post-patch in non-production environment first
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Disable STacSV service if audio functionality not required
2. Implement AppLocker/Windows Defender Application Control to restrict executable execution from temp directories
3. Apply file system permissions to restrict write access to service directories
4. Enable Windows Defender Real-time Protection with cloud-delivered protection
DETECTION:
1. Monitor for suspicious executables in C:\Windows\Temp and C:\Program Files\IDT directories
2. Alert on STacSV service restart events with unusual parent processes
3. Track file creation events in service startup paths using Sysmon Event ID 11
4. Search logs for unquoted path exploitation patterns in service registry keys
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تعمل بـ IDT PC Audio 1.0.6499.0 باستخدام أدوات جرد الأصول
2. تقييد الوصول المحلي للأنظمة المتأثرة من خلال عناصر التحكم في الوصول
3. مراقبة أحداث بدء تشغيل خدمة STacSV (معرّف الحدث 7045 في سجلات أمان Windows)
التصحيح:
1. تحديث IDT PC Audio إلى الإصدار 1.0.6500.0 أو أحدث فوراً
2. التحقق من نشر التصحيح عبر جميع نقاط النهاية المتأثرة
3. اختبار وظيفة الصوت بعد التصحيح في بيئة غير الإنتاج أولاً
عناصر التحكم البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. تعطيل خدمة STacSV إذا لم تكن وظيفة الصوت مطلوبة
2. تطبيق AppLocker أو Windows Defender Application Control لتقييد تنفيذ الملفات التنفيذية من المجلدات المؤقتة
3. تطبيق أذونات نظام الملفات لتقييد الوصول للكتابة إلى مجلدات الخدمة
4. تفعيل Windows Defender الحماية في الوقت الفعلي مع الحماية المسلمة من السحابة
الكشف:
1. مراقبة الملفات التنفيذية المريبة في مجلدات C:\Windows\Temp و C:\Program Files\IDT
2. تنبيه أحداث إعادة تشغيل خدمة STacSV مع العمليات الأب غير المعتادة
3. تتبع أحداث إنشاء الملفات في مسارات بدء تشغيل الخدمة باستخدام حدث Sysmon 11
4. البحث في السجلات عن أنماط استغلال المسار غير المقتبس في مفاتيح تسجيل الخدمة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures
A.8.1.1 - User access management
A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.AM-2 - Software inventory and management
PR.AC-1 - Access control policy enforcement
PR.PT-2 - Protective technology deployment
DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability scanning and management
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Change management procedures
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies
A.8.1.4 - Access rights review
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
6.2 - Security patches and updates
11.2 - Vulnerability scanning
🔗 References & Sources 3