> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://infra.newerasec.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://infra.newerasec.com/infrastructure-testing/tools/uacme.md). # UACME Defeating Windows User Account Control by abusing built-in Windows AutoElevate backdoor. Link: Usage: Run executable from command line: akagi32 \[Key] \[Param] or akagi64 \[Key] \[Param]. See "Run examples" below for more info. First param is number of method to use, second is optional command (executable file name including full path) to run. Second param can be empty - in this case program will execute elevated cmd.exe from system32 folder. Example (Windows 10): `C:\Users\Jack\Downloads\UACME-3.2.2\Source\Akagi\output\Win32\Debug>Akagi.exe 53 C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe` ![-microsoft Windows \[Version 18.8 .17763 . 885\] (c) 2818 microsoft Corporation . All rights reserved . : . exe - : \Users\Jack\Down10ads\UACt•1E-3.2.2\Source\Akagi \output\Win32\Debug>Akagi . exe : .exe 48 C: \Windows\System32\cmd .exe : . exe 53 C: . exe Administrator: microsoft windows \[Version 18.8.17763.885\] (c) 2818 microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved . C: ndows \ system32> ](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4xwp6Mq18nX8yR4M5z%2Fuploads%2FgXvgWBe2srmGYcFRaa7o%2Ffile.png?alt=media) ## Bins ``` - Akagi, x64/x86-32 main executable file, contain payload/data units. - Akatsuki, x64 payload, WOW64 logger. - Chiyoda, x64 payload, fake w32time service. - Fubuki, x64/x86-32 payload, general purpose. - Fujinami, x86-32 payload, COM handler dll. - Hibiki, x64/x86-32 payload, Application Verifier dll. - Ikazuchi, x64/x86-32 payload, SxS DotLocal. - Inazuma, x86-32 payload, shellcode for AppCompat. - Kamikaze, data, MMC snap-in. - Kongou, x64/x86-32 executable data, GWX trigger. - Naka, x64/x86-32 compressor for other payload/data units. - Yuubari, x64 UAC info data dumper. ``` ## Methods ``` 1. Author: Leo Davidson * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe * Component(s): cryptbase.dll * Implementation: ucmStandardAutoElevation * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 8.1 (9600) * How: sysprep.exe hardened LoadFrom manifest elements 2. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe * Component(s): ShCore.dll * Implementation: ucmStandardAutoElevation * Works from: Windows 8.1 (9600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TP (> 9600) * How: Side effect of ShCore.dll moving to \KnownDlls 3. Author: Leo Davidson derivative by WinNT/Pitou * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\oobe\setupsqm.exe * Component(s): WdsCore.dll * Implementation: ucmStandardAutoElevation * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TH2 (10558) * How: Side effect of OOBE redesign 4. Author: Jon Ericson, WinNT/Gootkit, mzH * Type: AppCompat * Method: RedirectEXE Shim * Target(s): \system32\cliconfg.exe * Component(s): - * Implementation: ucmShimRedirectEXE * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TP (> 9600) * How: Sdbinst.exe autoelevation removed, KB3045645/KB3048097 for rest Windows versions 5. Author: WinNT/Simda * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: ISecurityEditor * Target(s): HKLM registry keys * Component(s): - * Implementation: ucmSimdaTurnOffUac * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TH1 (10147) * How: ISecurityEditor interface method changed 6. Author: Win32/Carberp * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: WUSA * Target(s): \ehome\mcx2prov.exe, \system32\migwiz\migwiz.exe * Component(s): WdsCore.dll, CryptBase.dll, CryptSP.dll * Implementation: ucmWusaMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TH1 (10147) * How: WUSA /extract option removed 7. Author: Win32/Carberp derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: WUSA * Target(s): \system32\cliconfg.exe * Component(s): ntwdblib.dll * Implementation: ucmWusaMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TH1 (10147) * How: WUSA /extract option removed 8. Author: Leo Davidson derivative by Win32/Tilon * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe * Component(s): Actionqueue.dll * Implementation: ucmStandardAutoElevation * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 8.1 (9600) * How: sysprep.exe hardened LoadFrom manifest 9. Author: Leo Davidson, WinNT/Simda, Win32/Carberp derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation, ISecurityEditor, WUSA * Target(s): IFEO registry keys, \system32\cliconfg.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined Application Verifier Dll * Implementation: ucmAvrfMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TH1 (10147) * How: WUSA /extract option removed, ISecurityEditor interface method changed 10. Author: WinNT/Pitou, Win32/Carberp derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation, WUSA * Target(s): \system32\\{New}or{Existing}\\{autoelevated}.exe, e.g. winsat.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined dll, e.g. PowProf.dll, DevObj.dll * Implementation: ucmWinSATMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TH2 (10548) * How: AppInfo elevated application path control hardening 11. Author: Jon Ericson, WinNT/Gootkit, mzH * Type: AppCompat * Method: Shim Memory Patch * Target(s): \system32\iscsicli.exe * Component(s): Attacker prepared shellcode * Implementation: ucmShimPatch * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 8.1 (9600) * How: Sdbinst.exe autoelevation removed, KB3045645/KB3048097 for rest Windows versions 12. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe * Component(s): dbgcore.dll * Implementation: ucmStandardAutoElevation * Works from: Windows 10 TH1 (10240) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TH2 (10565) * How: sysprep.exe manifest updated 13. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\mmc.exe EventVwr.msc * Component(s): elsext.dll * Implementation: ucmMMCMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS1 (14316) * How: Missing dependency removed 14. Author: Leo Davidson, WinNT/Sirefef derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system\credwiz.exe, \system32\wbem\oobe.exe * Component(s): netutils.dll * Implementation: ucmSirefefMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 TH2 (10548) * How: AppInfo elevated application path control hardening 15. Author: Leo Davidson, Win32/Addrop, Metasploit derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\cliconfg.exe * Component(s): ntwdblib.dll * Implementation: ucmGenericAutoelevation * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS1 (14316) * How: Cliconfg.exe autoelevation removed 16. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\GWX\GWXUXWorker.exe, \system32\inetsrv\inetmgr.exe * Component(s): SLC.dll * Implementation: ucmGWX * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS1 (14316) * How: AppInfo elevated application path control and inetmgr executable hardening 17. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack (Import forwarding) * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe * Component(s): unbcl.dll * Implementation: ucmStandardAutoElevation2 * Works from: Windows 8.1 (9600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS1 (14371) * How: sysprep.exe manifest updated 18. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack (Manifest) * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\taskhost.exe, \system32\tzsync.exe (any ms exe without manifest) * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmAutoElevateManifest * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS1 (14371) * How: Manifest parsing logic reviewed 19. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\inetsrv\inetmgr.exe * Component(s): MsCoree.dll * Implementation: ucmInetMgrMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS1 (14376) * How: inetmgr.exe executable manifest hardening, MitigationPolicy->ProcessImageLoadPolicy->PreferSystem32Images 20. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\mmc.exe, Rsop.msc * Component(s): WbemComn.dll * Implementation: ucmMMCMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS3 (16232) * How: Target requires wbemcomn.dll to be signed by MS 21. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation, SxS DotLocal * Target(s): \system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe * Component(s): comctl32.dll * Implementation: ucmSXSMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS3 (16232) * How: MitigationPolicy->ProcessImageLoadPolicy->PreferSystem32Images 22. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation, SxS DotLocal * Target(s): \system32\consent.exe * Component(s): comctl32.dll * Implementation: ucmSXSMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 23. Author: Leo Davidson derivative * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\pkgmgr.exe * Component(s): DismCore.dll * Implementation: ucmDismMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 24. Author: BreakingMalware * Type: Shell API * Method: Environment variables expansion * Target(s): \system32\CompMgmtLauncher.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmCometMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS2 (15031) * How: CompMgmtLauncher.exe autoelevation removed 25. Author: Enigma0x3 * Type: Shell API * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\EventVwr.exe, \system32\CompMgmtLauncher.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmHijackShellCommandMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS2 (15031) * How: EventVwr.exe redesigned, CompMgmtLauncher.exe autoelevation removed 26. Author: Enigma0x3 * Type: Race Condition * Method: File overwrite * Target(s): %temp%\GUID\dismhost.exe * Component(s): LogProvider.dll * Implementation: ucmDiskCleanupRaceCondition * Works from: Windows 10 TH1 (10240) * AlwaysNotify compatible * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS2 (15031) * How: File security permissions altered 27. Author: ExpLife * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: IARPUninstallStringLauncher * Target(s): Attacker defined * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmUninstallLauncherMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS3 (16199) * How: UninstallStringLauncher interface removed from COMAutoApprovalList 28. Author: Exploit/Sandworm * Type: Whitelisted component * Method: InfDefaultInstall * Target(s): Attacker defined * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmSandwormMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 8.1 (9600) * How: InfDefaultInstall.exe removed from g_lpAutoApproveEXEList (MS14-060) 29. Author: Enigma0x3 * Type: Shell API * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\sdclt.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmAppPathMethod * Works from: Windows 10 TH1 (10240) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS3 (16215) * How: Shell API update 30. Author: Leo Davidson derivative, lhc645 * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: WOW64 logger * Target(s): \syswow64\\{any elevated exe, e.g wusa.exe} * Component(s): wow64log.dll * Implementation: ucmWow64LoggerMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 31. Author: Enigma0x3 * Type: Shell API * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\sdclt.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmSdcltIsolatedCommandMethod * Works from: Windows 10 TH1 (10240) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS4 (17025) * How: Shell API / Windows components update 32. Author: xi-tauw * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: UIPI bypass with uiAccess application * Target(s): \Program Files\Windows Media Player\osk.exe, \system32\EventVwr.exe, \system32\mmc.exe * Component(s): duser.dll, osksupport.dll * Implementation: ucmUiAccessMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 33. Author: winscripting.blog * Type: Shell API * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\fodhelper.exe, \system32\computerdefaults.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmMsSettingsDelegateExecuteMethod * Works from: Windows 10 TH1 (10240) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 34. Author: James Forshaw * Type: Shell API * Method: Environment variables expansion * Target(s): \system32\svchost.exe via \system32\schtasks.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmDiskCleanupEnvironmentVariable * Works from: Windows 8.1 (9600) * AlwaysNotify compatible * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 35. Author: CIA & James Forshaw * Type: Impersonation * Method: Token Manipulations * Target(s): Autoelevated applications * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmTokenModification * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * AlwaysNotify compatible, see note * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS5 (17686) * How: ntoskrnl.exe->SeTokenCanImpersonate additional access token check added 36. Author: Thomas Vanhoutte aka SandboxEscaper * Type: Race condition * Method: NTFS reparse point & Dll Hijack * Target(s): wusa.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmJunctionMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 37. Author: Ernesto Fernandez, Thomas Vanhoutte * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: SxS DotLocal, NTFS reparse point * Target(s): \system32\dccw.exe * Component(s): GdiPlus.dll * Implementation: ucmSXSDccwMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 38. Author: Clement Rouault * Type: Whitelisted component * Method: APPINFO command line spoofing * Target(s): \system32\mmc.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmHakrilMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 39. Author: Stefan Kanthak * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: .NET Code Profiler * Target(s): \system32\mmc.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmCorProfilerMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 40. Author: Ruben Boonen * Type: COM Handler Hijack * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\mmc.exe, \System32\recdisc.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmCOMHandlersMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 19H1 (18362) * How: Side effect of Windows changes 41. Author: Oddvar Moe * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: ICMLuaUtil * Target(s): Attacker defined * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmCMLuaUtilShellExecMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 42. Author: BreakingMalware and Enigma0x3 * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: IFwCplLua * Target(s): Attacker defined * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmFwCplLuaMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS4 (17134) * How: Shell API update 43. Author: Oddvar Moe derivative * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: IColorDataProxy, ICMLuaUtil * Target(s): Attacker defined * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmDccwCOMMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 44. Author: bytecode77 * Type: Shell API * Method: Environment variables expansion * Target(s): Multiple auto-elevated processes * Component(s): Various per target * Implementation: ucmVolatileEnvMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS3 (16299) * How: Current user system directory variables ignored during process creation 45. Author: bytecode77 * Type: Shell API * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\slui.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmSluiHijackMethod * Works from: Windows 8.1 (9600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 46. Author: Anonymous * Type: Race Condition * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\BitlockerWizardElev.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmBitlockerRCMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS4 (>16299) * How: Shell API update 47. Author: clavoillotte & 3gstudent * Type: COM Handler Hijack * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\mmc.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmCOMHandlersMethod2 * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 19H1 (18362) * How: Side effect of Windows changes 48. Author: deroko * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: ISPPLUAObject * Target(s): Attacker defined * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmSPPLUAObjectMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS5 (17763) * How: ISPPLUAObject interface method changed 49. Author: RinN * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: ICreateNewLink * Target(s): \system32\TpmInit.exe * Component(s): WbemComn.dll * Implementation: ucmCreateNewLinkMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS1 (14393) * How: Side effect of consent.exe COMAutoApprovalList introduction 50. Author: Anonymous * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: IDateTimeStateWrite, ISPPLUAObject * Target(s): w32time service * Component(s): w32time.dll * Implementation: ucmDateTimeStateWriterMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS5 (17763) * How: Side effect of ISPPLUAObject interface change 51. Author: bytecode77 derivative * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: IAccessibilityCplAdmin * Target(s): \system32\rstrui.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmAcCplAdminMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 10 RS4 (17134) * How: Shell API update 52. Author: David Wells * Type: Whitelisted component * Method: AipNormalizePath parsing abuse * Target(s): Attacker defined * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmDirectoryMockMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 53. Author: Emeric Nasi * Type: Shell API * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\sdclt.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmShellDelegateExecuteCommandMethod * Works from: Windows 10 (14393) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 54. Author: egre55 * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: Dll path search abuse * Target(s): \syswow64\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe and other SystemProperties*.exe * Component(s): \AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\srrstr.dll * Implementation: ucmEgre55Method * Works from: Windows 10 (14393) * Fixed in: Windows 10 19H1 (18362) * How: SysDm.cpl!_CreateSystemRestorePage has been updated for secured load library call 55. Author: James Forshaw * Type: GUI Hack * Method: UIPI bypass with token modification * Target(s): \system32\osk.exe, \system32\msconfig.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmTokenModUIAccessMethod * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 56. Author: Hashim Jawad * Type: Shell API * Method: Registry key manipulation * Target(s): \system32\WSReset.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmShellDelegateExecuteCommandMethod * Works from: Windows 10 (17134) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - 57. Author: Leo Davidson derivative by Win32/Gapz * Type: Dll Hijack * Method: IFileOperation * Target(s): \system32\sysprep\sysprep.exe * Component(s): unattend.dll * Implementation: ucmStandardAutoElevation * Works from: Windows 7 (7600) * Fixed in: Windows 8.1 (9600) * How: sysprep.exe hardened LoadFrom manifest elements 58. Author: RinN * Type: Elevated COM interface * Method: IEditionUpgradeManager * Target(s): \system32\clipup.exe * Component(s): Attacker defined * Implementation: ucmEditionUpgradeManagerMethod * Works from: Windows 10 (14393) * Fixed in: unfixed :see_no_evil: * How: - ```