📄 Description (English)
Acer Updater Service 1.2.3500.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Updater\ to inject malicious executables that will run with LocalSystem permissions during service startup.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2021-47825 is a critical privilege escalation vulnerability in Acer Updater Service 1.2.3500.0 that exploits an unquoted service path to allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. This vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations using Acer devices, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple users have local access. The lack of proper path quoting enables attackers to inject malicious executables that execute during service startup with elevated permissions.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 27, 2026 19:28
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi government agencies, financial institutions, and large enterprises using Acer devices face elevated risk. Banking sector (SAMA-regulated institutions) and government entities (NCA oversight) are particularly vulnerable if Acer devices are deployed in multi-user environments. Healthcare organizations and energy sector facilities using Acer workstations could experience system compromise. Telecom operators (STC, Mobily) and educational institutions with Acer device deployments require immediate attention. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation from standard user to SYSTEM, potentially compromising entire network segments.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare
Energy and Utilities
Telecommunications
Education
Manufacturing
Retail
🎯 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
T1574.008 - Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Search Order Hijacking
T1036.003 - Masquerading: Rename System Utilities
T1053.005 - Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all systems running Acer Updater Service 1.2.3500.0 using asset inventory tools
2. Restrict local user access to affected systems where possible
3. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executable execution
4. Monitor service startup logs for suspicious activity
PATCHING:
1. Update Acer Updater Service to version 1.2.3501.0 or later immediately
2. Verify patch deployment across all affected endpoints
3. Restart affected systems to activate patched service
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching unavailable):
1. Disable Acer Updater Service if not critical to operations
2. Implement file integrity monitoring on C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Updater\ directory
3. Apply principle of least privilege - restrict local user account permissions
4. Use Windows AppLocker to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries in Acer directories
DETECTION:
1. Monitor for .exe files created in C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Updater\ with suspicious names
2. Alert on Acer Updater Service startup with non-standard child processes
3. Track privilege escalation events (Event ID 4688 with elevated token)
4. Monitor registry modifications to service configuration paths
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تقوم بتشغيل خدمة تحديث Acer الإصدار 1.2.3500.0 باستخدام أدوات جرد الأصول
2. تقييد وصول المستخدمين المحليين إلى الأنظمة المتأثرة حيثما أمكن
3. تطبيق قائمة بيضاء للتطبيقات لمنع تنفيذ الملفات التنفيذية غير المصرح بها
4. مراقبة سجلات بدء الخدمة للنشاط المريب
التصحيح:
1. تحديث خدمة تحديث Acer إلى الإصدار 1.2.3501.0 أو أحدث فوراً
2. التحقق من نشر التصحيح عبر جميع نقاط النهاية المتأثرة
3. إعادة تشغيل الأنظمة المتأثرة لتفعيل الخدمة المصححة
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري متاحاً):
1. تعطيل خدمة تحديث Acer إذا لم تكن حرجة للعمليات
2. تطبيق مراقبة سلامة الملفات على دليل C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Updater\
3. تطبيق مبدأ أقل صلاحية - تقييد صلاحيات حساب المستخدم المحلي
4. استخدام Windows AppLocker لمنع تنفيذ الملفات الثنائية غير المصرح بها في أدلة Acer
الكشف:
1. مراقبة ملفات .exe التي تم إنشاؤها في C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Updater\ بأسماء مريبة
2. التنبيه عند بدء خدمة تحديث Acer مع عمليات فرعية غير قياسية
3. تتبع أحداث تصعيد الامتيازات (معرف الحدث 4688 مع رمز مرتفع)
4. مراقبة تعديلات السجل لمسارات تكوين الخدمة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Access Control Policies
ECC 2024 A.5.2.1 - User Registration and De-registration
ECC 2024 A.5.3.1 - Access Rights Review
ECC 2024 A.8.1.1 - Asset Inventory and Control
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Change Management
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-1 - Asset Management
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control Policy
SAMA CSF PR.AC-4 - Access Rights Management
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - System Monitoring
SAMA CSF RS.MI-2 - Incident Response
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.15 - Access Control
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User Endpoint Devices
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - Removable Media
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.2 - Change Management
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.4 - Event Logging
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 2.2.4 - Configure System Security Parameters
PCI DSS 6.2 - Ensure Security Patches Installed
PCI DSS 10.2 - Implement Automated Audit Trails