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.
767 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
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"
}
]
}
GHSA-C2J9-4WQG-96J4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-05-10 15:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 04:00Uncontrolled search path in the WULT software maintained by Intel(R) before version 1.0.0 (commit id 592300b) may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via network access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-27298"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-427",
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-05-10T14:15:32Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Uncontrolled search path in the WULT software maintained by Intel(R) before version 1.0.0 (commit id 592300b) may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via network access.",
"id": "GHSA-c2j9-4wqg-96j4",
"modified": "2024-04-04T04:00:50Z",
"published": "2023-05-10T15:30:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-27298"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00853.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-C447-7QCM-FMV2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-26 09:30 – Updated: 2025-12-26 09:30Improper quotation in search paths in the Eaton UPS Companion software installer could lead to arbitrary code execution of an attacker with the access to the
file system. This security issue has been fixed in the latest version of EUC which is available on the Eaton download center.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-59888"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-26T07:15:45Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Improper quotation in search paths in the Eaton UPS Companion software installer could lead to arbitrary code execution of an attacker with the access to the \n\nfile system. This security issue has been fixed in the latest version of EUC which is available on the Eaton download center.",
"id": "GHSA-c447-7qcm-fmv2",
"modified": "2025-12-26T09:30:17Z",
"published": "2025-12-26T09:30:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-59888"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/eaton/company/news-insights/cybersecurity/security-bulletins/etn-va-2025-1026.pdf"
}
],
"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-C5FJ-4HXW-MXFM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:07 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:07WINMAGIC SecureDoc Disk Encryption software before 8.3 has an Unquoted Service Path vulnerability, which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target system. If the executable is enclosed in quote tags "" then the system will know where to find it. However if the path of where the application binary is located doesn't contain any quotes then Windows will try to find it and execute it inside every folder of this path until they reach the executable.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-20341"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-04-08T15:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "WINMAGIC SecureDoc Disk Encryption software before 8.3 has an Unquoted Service Path vulnerability, which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target system. If the executable is enclosed in quote tags \"\" then the system will know where to find it. However if the path of where the application binary is located doesn\u0027t contain any quotes then Windows will try to find it and execute it inside every folder of this path until they reach the executable.",
"id": "GHSA-c5fj-4hxw-mxfm",
"modified": "2022-05-14T01:07:06Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:07:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-20341"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://downloads.winmagic.info/manuals/Release_Notes_8.3.pdf"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
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.