A critical vulnerability in ASUS’s Armoury Crate software has been disclosed, allowing local attackers to gain Windows admin privileges without user consent. If your business uses ASUS systems, this bug may expose your endpoints to privilege escalation attacks. In this post, we break down the flaw, its exploitation method, and what you should do now.
What is ASUS Armoury Crate and why it matters
ASUS Armoury Crate is a system management utility pre-installed on many ASUS laptops and desktops. It provides firmware updates, device configurations, and RGB lighting control. Unfortunately, its deep integration with system privileges has made it a target for exploitation.
Cybersecurity researchers discovered that the utility misuses a service running with SYSTEM-level permissions, allowing non-admin users to trigger processes that inherit elevated privileges. This kind of design flaw can be a direct route to total machine compromise.
How the vulnerability works
The core issue lies in the way AsusCertService.exe runs executables. It launches them from a writable folder (C:\ProgramData\ASUS\ARMOURY CRATE Service\) using the SYSTEM context. Here’s how attackers abuse it:
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Drop a malicious executable in the target folder
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Restart the ASUS service or the system
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The service picks up and executes the payload as SYSTEM
Researchers successfully used PsExec, a legitimate tool from SysInternals, renamed it to AsusUpdate.exe, and triggered its execution via the vulnerable service. This gave them unrestricted admin access without triggering security warnings.
Why this privilege escalation is dangerous
Gaining SYSTEM-level access means total control: registry editing, credential dumping, installing rootkits, or disabling antivirus. In corporate environments, this could allow lateral movement to domain controllers, bypassing network segmentation.
Unlike remote exploits, local privilege escalations (LPEs) are often overlooked. But they are frequently used in post-exploitation phases of malware campaigns. Once attackers breach a standard user account through phishing or credential stuffing, this flaw can instantly escalate their access.
Mitigation steps for IT and Security Teams
ASUS has not released a security patch at the time of writing. Until then, system administrators should act proactively:
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Remove or disable Armoury Crate from business machines unless strictly necessary
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Restrict write access to the vulnerable directory
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Monitor for abnormal execution of PsExec or unknown binaries from the Armoury Crate folder
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Use application whitelisting and endpoint detection tools to block unauthorized executions
For companies with mature security programs, integrating EDR/XDR solutions and Threat Intelligence can help detect such abuses.
Need help upgrading your cyber defense? Check our cybersecurity services to see how we can protect your infrastructure.
The bigger picture: poor privilege hygiene still a risk
This vulnerability reflects a recurring pattern: OEM tools with excessive privileges and poor access controls. Whether it’s Lenovo, Dell, or ASUS, many system utilities expose users to unnecessary risks.
Vendors must adopt the principle of least privilege, even for built-in tools. Security researchers and red teams often find these cracks long before the general public. As defenders, we need to patch processes, not just software.
The ASUS Armoury Crate bug is a textbook case of how local privilege escalation can undermine entire security architectures.
If your organization runs ASUS hardware, this is a red flag. Act fast before attackers do. And if you’re unsure where to start, ZENDATA Cybersecurity can help assess and secure your environment.
Read the Bleeping Computer article here.
