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.
761 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-388G-PGP3-X5MX
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-04 21:31 – Updated: 2025-12-17 18:31VeeVPN 1.6.1 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the VeePNService that allows remote attackers to execute code during startup or reboot with escalated privileges. Attackers can exploit this by providing a malicious service name, allowing them to inject commands and run as LocalSystem.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-66575"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-04T21:16:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "VeeVPN 1.6.1 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the VeePNService that allows remote attackers to execute code during startup or reboot with escalated privileges. Attackers can exploit this by providing a malicious service name, allowing them to inject commands and run as LocalSystem.",
"id": "GHSA-388g-pgp3-x5mx",
"modified": "2025-12-17T18:31:32Z",
"published": "2025-12-04T21:31:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-66575"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/veepn/veepn"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://veepn.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/52088"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/veevpn-161-unquoted-service-path-remote-code-execution"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:P/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-38GP-2MRC-F9CJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-10-18 12:00 – Updated: 2025-05-13 15:32Beijing Feishu Technology Co., Ltd Feishu v3.40.3 was discovered to contain an untrusted search path vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-3305"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-426",
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-10-18T11:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Beijing Feishu Technology Co., Ltd Feishu v3.40.3 was discovered to contain an untrusted search path vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-38gp-2mrc-f9cj",
"modified": "2025-05-13T15:32:00Z",
"published": "2022-10-18T12:00:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-3305"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/liong007/Feishu/issues/1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.feishu.cn"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://beijing.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://feishu.com"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-398Q-XWVH-4MPJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-01-27 18:32 – Updated: 2025-01-31 00:30In Electronic Arts Dragon Age Origins 1.05, the DAUpdaterSVC service contains an unquoted service path vulnerability. This service is configured with insecure permissions, allowing users to modify the executable file path used by the service. The service runs with NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM privileges, enabling attackers to escalate privileges by replacing or placing a malicious executable in the service path.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-57276"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-01-27T17:15:16Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In Electronic Arts Dragon Age Origins 1.05, the DAUpdaterSVC service contains an unquoted service path vulnerability. This service is configured with insecure permissions, allowing users to modify the executable file path used by the service. The service runs with NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM privileges, enabling attackers to escalate privileges by replacing or placing a malicious executable in the service path.",
"id": "GHSA-398q-xwvh-4mpj",
"modified": "2025-01-31T00:30:44Z",
"published": "2025-01-27T18:32:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-57276"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/yamerooo123/CVE/blob/main/CVE-2024-57276/Description.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/yamerooo123/ResearchNBugBountyEncyclopedia/blob/main/Researches/Dragon%20Age%20Origins/Description.md"
}
],
"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:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-39W8-7XG4-7FR5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-11-14 21:31 – Updated: 2023-11-14 21:31Unquoted search path in the installer for some Intel Server Configuration Utility software before version 16.0.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-25075"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-11-14T19:15:19Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Unquoted search path in the installer for some Intel Server Configuration Utility software before version 16.0.9 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-39w8-7xg4-7fr5",
"modified": "2023-11-14T21:31:01Z",
"published": "2023-11-14T21:31:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-25075"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00925.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-3F85-2F76-JM35
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-03-04 00:00 – Updated: 2022-03-17 00:03Wordline HIDCCEMonitorSVC before v5.2.4.3 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-45819"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-03-03T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Wordline HIDCCEMonitorSVC before v5.2.4.3 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.",
"id": "GHSA-3f85-2f76-jm35",
"modified": "2022-03-17T00:03:46Z",
"published": "2022-03-04T00:00:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-45819"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://hansesecure.de/2021/12/vulnerability-wordline/?lang=en"
}
],
"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-3J4W-JCV6-FV59
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-28 15:31 – Updated: 2026-01-28 15:31ForensiT AppX Management Service 2.2.0.4 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary 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-2020-36989"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-28T13:15:51Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "ForensiT AppX Management Service 2.2.0.4 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary 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-3j4w-jcv6-fv59",
"modified": "2026-01-28T15:31:30Z",
"published": "2026-01-28T15:31:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36989"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48821"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.forensit.com/downloads.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/forensitappxservice-forensitappxserviceexe-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-3JV6-866R-3W8M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-25 15:30 – Updated: 2026-01-25 15:30Deep Instinct Windows Agent 1.2.24.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the DeepNetworkService that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in C:\Program Files\HP Sure Sense\DeepNetworkService.exe to inject malicious code that would execute with LocalSystem permissions during service startup.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-36934"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-25T14:15:48Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Deep Instinct Windows Agent 1.2.24.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the DeepNetworkService that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in C:\\Program Files\\HP Sure Sense\\DeepNetworkService.exe to inject malicious code that would execute with LocalSystem permissions during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-3jv6-866r-3w8m",
"modified": "2026-01-25T15:30:26Z",
"published": "2026-01-25T15:30:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36934"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.deepinstinct.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.deepinstinct.com/2019/05/22/hp-collaborates-with-deep-instinct-to-roll-out-ai-powered-malware-protection-for-next-generation-hp-elitebook-and-zbook-pcs"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49020"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/deep-instinct-windows-agent-deepnetworkservice-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-3MG4-Q3V6-5GMC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-04 15:30 – Updated: 2026-04-04 15:30Spy Emergency build 23.0.205 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the SpyEmrgHealth and SpyEmrgSrv services that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by inserting malicious executables. Attackers can place executable files in the unquoted service path and trigger service restart or system reboot to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-20056"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-04T14:16:18Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Spy Emergency build 23.0.205 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the SpyEmrgHealth and SpyEmrgSrv services that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by inserting malicious executables. Attackers can place executable files in the unquoted service path and trigger service restart or system reboot to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-3mg4-q3v6-5gmc",
"modified": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"published": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20056"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40550"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/spy-emergency-build-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.spy-emergency.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.spy-emergency.com/download/download.php?id=1"
}
],
"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-3MGJ-25W6-9VM6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-11-19 00:00 – Updated: 2021-11-24 00:01Unquoted service path vulnerability in the Gallagher Controller Service allows an unprivileged user to execute arbitrary code as the account that runs the Controller Service. This issue affects: Gallagher Command Centre 8.50 versions prior to 8.50.2048 (MR3) ;
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-23197"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-11-18T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unquoted service path vulnerability in the Gallagher Controller Service allows an unprivileged user to execute arbitrary code as the account that runs the Controller Service. This issue affects: Gallagher Command Centre 8.50 versions prior to 8.50.2048 (MR3) ;",
"id": "GHSA-3mgj-25w6-9vm6",
"modified": "2021-11-24T00:01:00Z",
"published": "2021-11-19T00:00:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-23197"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gallagher.com/Security-Advisories/CVE-2021-23197"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-3PG9-H44J-GVG9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 02:49 – Updated: 2022-05-17 02:49Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the guest service in Unisys s-Par before 4.4.20 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% directory, as demonstrated by program.exe.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-5873"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-04-11T15:59:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the guest service in Unisys s-Par before 4.4.20 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% directory, as demonstrated by program.exe.",
"id": "GHSA-3pg9-h44j-gvg9",
"modified": "2022-05-17T02:49:46Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T02:49:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5873"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://public.support.unisys.com/common/public/vulnerability/NVD_Detail_Rpt.aspx?ID=41"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
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.