CVE-2018-18435
KioWare Server version 4.9.6 and older installs by default to "C:\kioware_com" with weak folder...
CVE-2018-18435 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) in Kioware Server, published March 17, 2019. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.38%, the 72nd percentile. No source names a fixed version.
- Severity
- 7.8 HighCVSS 3.0, NVD
- Exploit chance
- 1.38%EPSS, 72nd percentile
- Exploitation
- None known1 public exploit
- Fixed in
- No fix listedNo source names one
Description
KioWare Server version 4.9.6 and older installs by default to "C:\kioware_com" with weak folder permissions granting any user full permission "Everyone: (F)" to the contents of the directory and it's sub-folders. In addition, the program installs a service called "KWSService" which runs as "Localsystem", this will allow any user to escalate privileges to "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" by substituting the service's binary with a malicious one.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
Affected products
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB | KioWare Server Version 4.9.6 - Weak Folder Permissions Privilege Escalation | 2019-01-07 |
What each source reports
NVD Score used
KioWare Server version 4.9.6 and older installs by default to "C:\kioware_com" with weak folder permissions granting any user full permission "Everyone: (F)" to the contents of the directory and it's sub-folders. In addition, the program installs a service called "KWSService" which runs as "Localsystem", this will allow any user to escalate privileges to "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" by substituting the service's binary with a malicious one.
- Record
CVE-2018-18435- CVSS 3.0
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 7.2 High
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-732
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE ListNo score
KioWare Server version 4.9.6 and older installs by default to "C:\kioware_com" with weak folder permissions granting any user full permission "Everyone: (F)" to the contents of the directory and it's sub-folders. In addition, the program installs a service called "KWSService" which runs as "Localsystem", this will allow any user to escalate privileges to "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" by substituting the service's binary with a malicious one.
- Record
CVE-2018-18435- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2018-10163No score
KioWare Server version 4.9.6 and older installs by default to "C:\kioware_com" with weak folder permissions granting any user full permission "Everyone: (F)" to the contents of the directory and it's sub-folders. In addition, the program installs a service called "KWSService" which runs as "Localsystem", this will allow any user to escalate privileges to "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" by substituting the service's binary with a malicious one.
- Record
EUVD-2018-10163- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-cv2p-jhjf-54gq
KioWare Server version 4.9.6 and older installs by default to "C:\kioware_com" with weak folder...
KioWare Server version 4.9.6 and older installs by default to "C:\kioware_com" with weak folder permissions granting any user full permission "Everyone: (F)" to the contents of the directory and it's sub-folders. In addition, the program installs a service called "KWSService" which runs as "Localsystem", this will allow any user to escalate privileges to "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" by substituting the service's binary with a malicious one.
- Record
GHSA-cv2p-jhjf-54gq- CVSS 3.0
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-732
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
References
packetstormsecurity.com/files/151031/KioWare-Server-4.9.6-Privilege-Escalation.html
exploit-db.com/exploits/46093
m.kioware.com/news/kioware-press-releases/kioware_server_security_patch_update
kioware.com/patch.aspx
github.com/active-labs/Advisories/blob/master/2019/ACTIVE-2019-002.md
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-18435