CWE-428
AllowedUnquoted Search Path or Element
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product uses a search path that contains an unquoted element, in which the element contains whitespace or other separators. This can cause the product to access resources in a parent path.
772 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-9QG6-Q2VV-F5HW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:25 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:25FreeSSHd 1.3.1 version is vulnerable to an Unquoted Path Service allowing local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-1000475"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-01-24T14:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "FreeSSHd 1.3.1 version is vulnerable to an Unquoted Path Service allowing local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-9qg6-q2vv-f5hw",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:25:27Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:25:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-1000475"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/lajarajorge/CVE-2017-1000475/blob/master/README.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48044"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-9QG8-V48Q-MVFP
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-04 15:30 – Updated: 2026-04-04 15:30sheed AntiVirus 2.3 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the ShavProt service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting the service binary path. Attackers can insert a malicious executable in the unquoted path and trigger service restart or system reboot to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-20061"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-04T14:16:18Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "sheed AntiVirus 2.3 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the ShavProt service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting the service binary path. Attackers can insert a malicious executable in the unquoted path and trigger service restart or system reboot to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-9qg8-v48q-mvfp",
"modified": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"published": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20061"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40497"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/sheed-antivirus-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://dl.sheedantivirus.ir/setup.exe"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://sheedantivirus.ir"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-9QVC-PGQ6-F6QJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-29 15:30 – Updated: 2026-01-29 15:30CodeMeter 6.60 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in the CodeMeter Runtime Server service to inject malicious code that would execute with LocalSystem permissions.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-37017"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-29T15:16:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "CodeMeter 6.60 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in the CodeMeter Runtime Server service to inject malicious code that would execute with LocalSystem permissions.",
"id": "GHSA-9qvc-pgq6-f6qj",
"modified": "2026-01-29T15:30:28Z",
"published": "2026-01-29T15:30:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-37017"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48735"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/codemeter-codemeterexe-unquoted-service-path"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.wibu.com/us/products/codemeter/runtime.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-9RJ3-RFG4-9W59
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-01 15:32 – Updated: 2026-02-01 15:32Avast SecureLine 5.5.522.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in the service configuration to inject malicious code that would execute with LocalSystem account permissions during service startup.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-37037"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-01T15:16:02Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Avast SecureLine 5.5.522.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in the service configuration to inject malicious code that would execute with LocalSystem account permissions during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-9rj3-rfg4-9w59",
"modified": "2026-02-01T15:32:31Z",
"published": "2026-02-01T15:32:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-37037"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.avast.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48249"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/avast-secureline-secureline-unquoted-service-path"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-9V4R-MWFH-7F37
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-04 15:30 – Updated: 2026-04-04 15:30IObit Advanced SystemCare 10.0.2 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the AdvancedSystemCareService10 service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the service path and trigger privilege escalation when the service restarts or the system reboots, executing code with LocalSystem privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-20055"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-04T14:16:17Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "IObit Advanced SystemCare 10.0.2 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the AdvancedSystemCareService10 service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the service path and trigger privilege escalation when the service restarts or the system reboots, executing code with LocalSystem privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-9v4r-mwfh-7f37",
"modified": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"published": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20055"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40577"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/iobit-advanced-systemcare-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.iobit.com/en/advancedsystemcarefree.php#"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.iobit.com/en/index.php"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-9VW8-9CQ7-MJGR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-01-27 00:30 – Updated: 2023-02-02 18:30Dentsply Sirona Sidexis <= 4.3 is vulnerable to Unquoted Service Path.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-44264"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-01-26T22:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dentsply Sirona Sidexis \u003c= 4.3 is vulnerable to Unquoted Service Path.",
"id": "GHSA-9vw8-9cq7-mjgr",
"modified": "2023-02-02T18:30:47Z",
"published": "2023-01-27T00:30:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-44264"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://twitter.com/obikenobi1/status/1618149448919699458?cxt=HHwWhMDShbeW6fQsAAAA"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.chairi.it/cve/CVE-2022-44264.txt"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-9VXJ-J2F7-9MGG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-21 15:32 – Updated: 2026-04-22 18:31Vulnerability related to an unquoted search path in CivetWeb v1.16. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by placing a malicious executable in a directory that is scanned before the intended application path (C:\Program Files\CivetWeb\CivetWeb.exe --), due to the absence of quotes in the service configuration.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-5789"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-21T15:16:37Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Vulnerability related to an unquoted search path in CivetWeb v1.16. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by placing a malicious executable in a directory that is scanned before the intended application path (C:\\Program Files\\CivetWeb\\CivetWeb.exe --), due to the absence of quotes in the service configuration.",
"id": "GHSA-9vxj-j2f7-9mgg",
"modified": "2026-04-22T18:31:40Z",
"published": "2026-04-21T15:32:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-5789"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.incibe.es/en/incibe-cert/notices/aviso/search-path-without-quotes-civetweb"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-C232-QP2M-M3Q3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-12-21 09:30 – Updated: 2023-01-04 21:30Roxio Creator LJB starts another program with an unquoted file path. Since a registered Windows service path contains spaces and are unquoted, if a malicious executable is placed on a certain path, the executable may be executed with the privilege of the Windows service. The affected product and versions are as follows: Roxio Creator LJB version number 12.2 build number 106B62B, version number 12.2 build number 106B63A, version number 12.2 build number 106B69A, version number 12.2 build number 106B71A, and version number 12.2 build number 106B74A)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-46662"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-12-21T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Roxio Creator LJB starts another program with an unquoted file path. Since a registered Windows service path contains spaces and are unquoted, if a malicious executable is placed on a certain path, the executable may be executed with the privilege of the Windows service. The affected product and versions are as follows: Roxio Creator LJB version number 12.2 build number 106B62B, version number 12.2 build number 106B63A, version number 12.2 build number 106B69A, version number 12.2 build number 106B71A, and version number 12.2 build number 106B74A)",
"id": "GHSA-c232-qp2m-m3q3",
"modified": "2023-01-04T21:30:19Z",
"published": "2022-12-21T09:30:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-46662"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN13075438/index.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.corel.com/jp/129393"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-C23M-4JJX-5J3J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-11-11 19:00 – Updated: 2022-11-16 19:00Unquoted search path in the installer software for some Intel(r) NUC Kit Wireless Adapter drivers for Windows 10 before version 22.40 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-36384"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-11-11T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unquoted search path in the installer software for some Intel(r) NUC Kit Wireless Adapter drivers for Windows 10 before version 22.40 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-c23m-4jjx-5j3j",
"modified": "2022-11-16T19:00:31Z",
"published": "2022-11-11T19:00:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-36384"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00747.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-C24P-X9PC-2JH3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-23 18:31 – Updated: 2026-01-23 18:31Epson USB Display 1.6.0.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the EMP_UDSA service running with LocalSystem privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path by placing malicious executables in intermediate directories to gain elevated system access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47898"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-23T17:16:01Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Epson USB Display 1.6.0.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the EMP_UDSA service running with LocalSystem privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path by placing malicious executables in intermediate directories to gain elevated system access.",
"id": "GHSA-c24p-x9pc-2jh3",
"modified": "2026-01-23T18:31:29Z",
"published": "2026-01-23T18:31:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47898"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://epson.com.mx"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49548"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/epson-usb-display-unquoted-service-path-vulnerability"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Properly quote the full search path before executing a program on the system.
Mitigation MIT-5
Strategy: Input Validation
- Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does.
- When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue."
- Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
Mitigation MIT-20
Strategy: Input Validation
Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180). Make sure that the application does not decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist validation schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked.
No CAPEC attack patterns related to this CWE.