📄 Description (English)
Adaware Web Companion 4.9.2159 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the WCAssistantService that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path to inject malicious executables that will be run with LocalSystem privileges during service startup.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2020-37102 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Adaware Web Companion 4.9.2159 affecting the WCAssistantService through an unquoted service path. Local attackers can inject malicious executables into the service path to achieve arbitrary code execution with LocalSystem privileges. While no public exploit is available, the vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations using this security software, particularly in Saudi banking and government sectors where Adaware may be deployed.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 27, 2026 17:20
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi organizations in the Banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions), Government agencies (NCA oversight), and Healthcare organizations that have deployed Adaware Web Companion as endpoint protection. The LocalSystem privilege execution capability makes this particularly dangerous for systems handling sensitive financial data, classified government information, and patient records. Organizations in the Energy sector (ARAMCO subsidiaries) and Telecom (STC, Mobily) may also be affected if Adaware is part of their security infrastructure.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking
Government
Healthcare
Energy
Telecommunications
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1547.001 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
T1547.011 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Services
T1134.003 - Access Token Manipulation: Make and Impersonate Token
T1548.004 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Elevated Execution with Prompt
T1036.005 - Masquerading: Match Legitimate Name or Location
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Identify all systems running Adaware Web Companion 4.9.2159 across your organization
2. Restrict local administrative access and implement principle of least privilege
3. Monitor WCAssistantService startup and execution patterns for anomalies
Patching Guidance:
1. Upgrade Adaware Web Companion to version 4.9.2160 or later immediately
2. Verify patch installation by checking service binary path configuration
3. Restart affected systems after patching to ensure service updates
Compensating Controls (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Disable WCAssistantService if not critical to operations
2. Implement Application Whitelisting on endpoints to prevent unauthorized executable execution
3. Use Windows AppLocker to restrict execution in service paths
4. Monitor file system changes in Program Files directories
Detection Rules:
1. Alert on any executable creation in Adaware installation directories with suspicious names
2. Monitor WCAssistantService startup with non-standard binary paths
3. Track privilege escalation attempts from service context
4. Log all modifications to service registry entries (HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WCAssistantService)
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تقوم بتشغيل Adaware Web Companion 4.9.2159 عبر مؤسستك
2. تقييد الوصول الإداري المحلي وتطبيق مبدأ الامتياز الأقل
3. مراقبة بدء تشغيل خدمة WCAssistantService وأنماط التنفيذ للكشف عن الشذوذ
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية Adaware Web Companion إلى الإصدار 4.9.2160 أو أحدث على الفور
2. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح بفحص تكوين مسار الملف الثنائي للخدمة
3. إعادة تشغيل الأنظمة المتأثرة بعد التصحيح لضمان تحديثات الخدمة
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. تعطيل خدمة WCAssistantService إذا لم تكن حرجة للعمليات
2. تطبيق قائمة التطبيقات المسموحة على نقاط النهاية لمنع تنفيذ الملفات التنفيذية غير المصرح بها
3. استخدام Windows AppLocker لتقييد التنفيذ في مسارات الخدمة
4. مراقبة التغييرات في نظام الملفات في دلائل Program Files
قواعد الكشف:
1. تنبيه عند إنشاء أي ملف تنفيذي في دلائل تثبيت Adaware بأسماء مريبة
2. مراقبة بدء تشغيل خدمة WCAssistantService بمسارات ثنائية غير قياسية
3. تتبع محاولات تصعيد الامتيازات من سياق الخدمة
4. تسجيل جميع التعديلات على إدخالات سجل الخدمة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies and Procedures
A.6.1.1 - Organization of Information Security
A.12.6.1 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure Development Policy
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.RA-1 - Asset Management and Vulnerability Management
PR.IP-12 - Software, Firmware, and Information Updates
DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability Scans
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy and procedures
A.12.2.1 - Restrictions on software installation
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
6.2 - Ensure all system components and software are protected from known vulnerabilities
6.1 - Maintain a process to identify and assign a risk rating to newly discovered security vulnerabilities
🔗 References & Sources 4
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http://webcompanion.com/
disclosure@vulncheck.com
http://webcompanion.com/LP-WC002/index.php?partner=LU150701WEBDIRECT&campaign=www.doc2p...
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47852
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/adaware-web-companion-wcassistantservice-unquoted-...
disclosure@vulncheck.com