Local SYSTEM code execution via writable plugin configuration
Published Apr 9, 2026 · Updated Apr 9, 2026
DLL injection in GatewayGeo MapServer for Windows 5 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. The default C:\ms4w\ms4w.conf file is writable by all users, and the SYSTEM-run service trusts its MAPS and PLUGINS entries to load a map file and DLL from an attacker-controlled share. A non-administrative user with local host access can alter the configuration and invoke mapserv.exe through localhost, causing the service to load the DLL with SYSTEM privileges.
Summary
What happened
DLL injection in GatewayGeo MapServer for Windows 5 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. The default C:\ms4w\ms4w.conf file is writable by all users, and the SYSTEM-run service trusts its MAPS and PLUGINS entries to load a map file and DLL from an attacker-controlled share. A non-administrative user with local host access can alter the configuration and invoke mapserv.exe through localhost, causing the service to load the DLL with SYSTEM privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-30478
- Published
- Apr 9, 2026
- Updated
- Apr 9, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-427, T1574.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 9, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 9, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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What is affected?
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Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- CVE-2026-30478 MS4W proof of conceptfunctional · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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