HighPublic exploit

Privilege Escalation in Windows HelpPane (Helppane.exe) DCOM Object

IdentifiersCVE-2017-0100CWE-269

CVE-2017-0100 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Microsoft Windows, specifically in the DCOM object implementation within Helppane.exe. A local attacker can exploit this vulnerability by executing a crafted application that interacts with the vulnerable DCOM object, resulting in elevation of privileges on affected systems. The vulnerability affects Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 (Gold and R2), Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 (Gold, 1511, 1607), and Windows Server 2016.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise if the attacker is able to execute code as an administrator. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, installation of malicious software, or further lateral movement within a network.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Restrict local access to systems where possible, and limit the ability of untrusted users to execute arbitrary applications. Employ least privilege principles and monitor for suspicious activity involving Helppane.exe or DCOM object usage.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply the security updates provided by Microsoft for the affected Windows versions. Ensure all systems are patched with the latest security updates as soon as they become available.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (1 hidden).

VALID 1 / 2 TOTALView more in app

CVE-2017-0100MaturityPoCVerified exploit

This repository contains a Visual Studio C++ project that demonstrates a proof-of-concept (POC) exploit for the Microsoft Windows HelpPane COM server. The main file, HelpPane.cpp, initializes COM, obtains a reference to the HelpPane COM server using its CLSID ({8CEC58AE-07A1-11D9-B15E-000D56BFE6EE}), and calls the Execute method with a file URL pointing to 'c:\windows\system32\calc.exe'. If successful, this results in the execution of calc.exe, demonstrating arbitrary code execution via the HelpPane COM interface. The exploit is local and requires the ability to run a binary on the target system. The project includes standard Visual Studio solution and project files, with HelpPane.cpp as the only code file. No network endpoints are present; the main fingerprintable elements are the file path used in the payload and the COM server CLSID.

cssxnDisclosed Mar 24, 2021cppxmllocal

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

Microsoft CorporationWindows 10operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 7operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows 8.1operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Rt 8.1operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2008operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2012operating_system

Microsoft CorporationWindows Server 2016operating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

No public activity tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

0 SOURCESView more in app

No public activity observed for this vulnerability.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

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Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity