Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A local Windows user could abuse affected GOG GalaxyClientService versions to run commands as SYSTEM. The weakness comes from a static embedded RSA private key trusted by the elevated service. This is high business risk on endpoints where affected GOG Galaxy versions are installed, but the bundle does not show remote internet exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation on managed Windows endpoints, especially shared or high-value systems. The issue requires local access, but public exploit tooling raises the urgency because a low-privileged compromise could become full SYSTEM control.
Technical view
GalaxyClientService runs as SYSTEM and listens locally on localhost:9978. A user with the embedded static RSA private key and local permissions can send commands accepted by the service, causing elevated execution. Affected versions are 2.0.12 and earlier in 2.0.x, and 1.2.64 and earlier in 1.2.x. CVSS 3.1 score is 8.4.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Windows hosts running affected GOG GalaxyClientService versions. Attackers need local user access, so risk is highest on shared workstations, unmanaged endpoints, or compromised user sessions where the client is installed.
Exploitation context
A Metasploit module has been published, so practical exploitation knowledge exists. The source bundle does not indicate CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation in the wild. This should be treated as a serious local privilege escalation, not a remote perimeter issue.
Researcher notes
The strongest evidence is the CVE description and referenced Rapid7 and Positron Security materials. The bundle names a 2.0.x fix but does not identify a fixed version or a 1.2.x fix. Avoid claiming active exploitation without additional evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade affected 2.0.x installations to a vendor-fixed GOG Galaxy release.
- For 1.2.x, check GOG guidance; remove or disable unsupported affected installations.
- Remove GOG Galaxy from enterprise endpoints where it is not business-required.
- Restrict local user access on shared systems with affected installations.
- Monitor endpoints for unexpected SYSTEM-level process creation from GOG Galaxy components.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows endpoints for GOG GalaxyClientService installations and versions.
- Flag 2.0.12 or earlier in 2.0.x and 1.2.64 or earlier in 1.2.x.
- Confirm whether GalaxyClientService is present and running with elevated privileges.
- Review endpoint telemetry for suspicious local privilege escalation activity involving GalaxyClientService.
- Verify remediation by rechecking installed version or removal status.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-264: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-7352 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.4 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N25.8Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.4HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/13444CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.positronsecurity.com/blog/2020-04-28-gog-galaxy-client-local-privilege-escalation/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls
Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.