CVE-2022-31877 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the MSI.TerminalServer.exe component of MSI Center version 1.0.41.0. This vulnerability allows an attacker to escalate privileges on a targeted system by sending a specially crafted TCP packet. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-345, which relates to insufficient verification of data authenticity, indicating that the component fails to properly validate incoming network data before processing it. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector that is network-based (AV:N), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), and only low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects resources managed by the same security authority. Exploitation could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or disruption of system operations. No public exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date (November 28, 2022), and no official patches or vendor advisories are currently available. The vulnerability affects MSI Center, a utility software commonly bundled with MSI hardware products, primarily used for system monitoring and configuration on Windows platforms. The lack of detailed product and version information limits precise targeting but the known affected version is 1.0.41.0. The vulnerability’s exploitation via network packets suggests that affected systems exposed to local or remote networks are at risk, especially if the MSI Center service is running with elevated privileges and listening on network interfaces.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises and institutions utilizing MSI hardware with MSI Center installed on Windows endpoints. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with higher privileges, access confidential information, or disrupt critical services. This is particularly concerning for sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The network-based attack vector increases the risk of remote exploitation, potentially allowing attackers to compromise systems without physical access. Given the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, organizations could face data breaches, operational downtime, and compliance violations under GDPR. The absence of public exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits over time. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within corporate networks, amplifying its impact in complex IT environments.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on minimizing network exposure of MSI Center services, especially the MSI.TerminalServer.exe component. Restrict network access to trusted hosts and internal networks using firewall rules or network segmentation. 2. Disable or uninstall MSI Center if it is not essential for business operations, particularly on critical or internet-facing systems. 3. Monitor network traffic for unusual or malformed TCP packets targeting the MSI.TerminalServer.exe service, employing intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with custom signatures if possible. 4. Implement strict application whitelisting and privilege management to limit the potential impact of privilege escalation. 5. Maintain up-to-date endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Engage with MSI support channels to obtain official patches or updates as they become available and apply them promptly. 7. Conduct internal audits to identify all systems running MSI Center and verify their version to prioritize remediation efforts. 8. Educate IT staff about this vulnerability and encourage vigilance for related security advisories or exploit reports.