CVE-2019-17190Public exploit

SYSTEM privilege escalation via hard-linked update file

Published Jan 27, 2020 · Updated Aug 5, 2024

Incorrect authorization in Avast Secure Browser 76.0.1659.101 allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges through an update check. The SYSTEM-level AvastBrowserUpdate.exe resets the DACL on Update.ini to grant Everyone full access without rejecting a hard link to another protected file. A low-privileged user who controls the update directory can redirect that ACL change to a chosen SYSTEM-writable file, making it writable to the user.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect authorization in Avast Secure Browser 76.0.1659.101 allows local users to gain SYSTEM privileges through an update check. The SYSTEM-level AvastBrowserUpdate.exe resets the DACL on Update.ini to grant Everyone full access without rejecting a hard link to another protected file. A low-privileged user who controls the update directory can redirect that ACL change to a chosen SYSTEM-writable file, making it writable to the user.

The record

CVE
CVE-2019-17190
Published
Jan 27, 2020
Updated
Aug 5, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-863, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 27, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NISTAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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