Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-47862 is a local privilege escalation issue in Hi-Rez Studios HiPatchService version 5.1.6.3. A user who already has local access may be able to make the service run attacker-controlled code as LocalSystem during startup or reboot. This is not a remote internet-entry bug, but it can turn a low-privilege foothold into full endpoint control.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority for endpoint hygiene, especially on shared workstations or environments where users lack admin rights. It is less urgent than a remote code execution flaw, but important because it can help an attacker gain full local control after initial access.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-428: an unquoted Windows service path in HiPatchService 5.1.6.3. If Windows resolves the path insecurely and an attacker can place a malicious executable in a searched location, code can execute with LocalSystem privileges. The CVE lists CVSS 4.0 score 8.5 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Windows systems with Hi-Rez Studios HiPatchService version 5.1.6.3 installed. This may include gaming or launcher-related endpoints rather than servers. Organizations should verify whether the service exists in managed endpoint inventories before assuming material exposure.
Exploitation context
Public exploit information is referenced by Exploit-DB, but the source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires local access and a suitable filesystem/service-path condition. The main risk is post-compromise privilege escalation on affected workstations.
Researcher notes
Evidence identifies HiPatchService 5.1.6.3 and an unquoted service path. The bundle references Exploit-DB and VulnCheck, but does not provide vendor patch details or active exploitation evidence. Validate exposure through service inventory and configuration review rather than assuming all Hi-Rez products are affected.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory endpoints for HiPatchService version 5.1.6.3.
- Check Hi-Rez Studios or advisory sources for fixed versions or vendor guidance.
- Remove or disable the service where it is not business-required.
- Restrict local write permissions in directories resolved by the service path.
- Correct the service path configuration where administratively supported and tested.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether HiPatchService is installed on Windows endpoints.
- Record the installed service version and executable path.
- Verify whether the service binary path is quoted correctly.
- Review directory permissions along the service path.
- Prioritize systems where standard users can write to path directories.
Public sources used
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
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-428: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-47862 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.5 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA: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:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N——Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
8.5HighVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-49701CVE reference · exploit
- Hi-Rez Studios Official HomepageCVE reference · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: Hi-Rez Studios 5.1.6.3 - 'HiPatchService' Unquoted Service PathCVE reference · third-party-advisory
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.
Unquoted Search Path or Element
Unquoted Search Path or Element represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.