Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw can let a normal Windows user gain higher privileges if a vulnerable Beyond Compare uninstaller is run as SYSTEM. The risk is tied to specific versions installed with the EXE installer and a particular uninstall scenario.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted endpoint privilege-escalation risk, not an internet-facing emergency. Remediate in normal patch cycles, faster for shared workstations or managed fleets using SYSTEM uninstall jobs.
Technical view
CVE-2022-36415 is a DLL hijacking issue in Scooter Beyond Compare 1.8a through 4.4.2 before 4.4.3. The EXE-installed uninstaller loads DLLs from C:\Windows\Temp. A standard user can place malicious DLLs there, which execute elevated if the uninstaller runs as SYSTEM.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Windows systems with Beyond Compare 1.8a through 4.4.2 installed through the EXE installer, especially where software uninstallers run under SYSTEM via management tools.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show active exploitation, and CISA KEV is false. Exploitation requires local file placement and the vulnerable uninstaller being executed as SYSTEM.
Researcher notes
Evidence is narrow but clear: affected versions, EXE installer condition, Temp DLL loading, and SYSTEM execution trigger are stated. No CVSS, CWE, public exploit status, or detailed vendor mitigation beyond the fixed version is provided in the bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Beyond Compare to version 4.4.3 or later where applicable.
- Review Scooter Software guidance for the affected uninstaller issue.
- Avoid running vulnerable uninstallers as SYSTEM before remediation.
- Prioritize managed Windows endpoints with local standard users.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Beyond Compare versions on Windows endpoints.
- Confirm whether installations used the EXE installer path.
- Check software management tools for SYSTEM-run uninstall actions.
- Verify remediated systems report version 4.4.3 or later.
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.
CVE-2022-36415 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
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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 and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.scootersoftware.com/support.php?zz=kb_security_2022-02CVE 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.