Common Weakness Enumeration
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-C8CP-33HR-C24P
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-19 15:33 – Updated: 2026-06-19 15:33
VLAI
Details
Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in RtkAudioService64.exe that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by injecting malicious code. Attackers can place executable files in the unquoted service path directory to execute arbitrary code with LocalSystem privileges during service startup or system reboot.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-37252"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-19T15:16:34Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in RtkAudioService64.exe that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by injecting malicious code. Attackers can place executable files in the unquoted service path directory to execute arbitrary code with LocalSystem privileges during service startup or system reboot.",
"id": "GHSA-c8cp-33hr-c24p",
"modified": "2026-06-19T15:33:18Z",
"published": "2026-06-19T15:33:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-37252"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49015"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.realtek.com/en"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/realtek-audio-service-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation"
}
],
"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-CCM5-R6JV-M624
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-21 18:30 – Updated: 2026-01-21 18:30
VLAI
Details
ActivIdentity 8.2 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the ac.sharedstore service that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in C:\Program Files\Common Files\ActivIdentity\ to inject malicious executables and escalate privileges.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47859"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-21T18:16:16Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "ActivIdentity 8.2 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the ac.sharedstore service that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\ActivIdentity\\ to inject malicious executables and escalate privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-ccm5-r6jv-m624",
"modified": "2026-01-21T18:30:31Z",
"published": "2026-01-21T18:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47859"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49703"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.hidglobal.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/actividentity-acsharedstore-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-CF2J-VP4V-VP5C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-01-14 00:31
VLAI
Details
Wondershare Dr.Fone 12.0.18 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the misconfigured service path to insert malicious code that will be executed with LocalSystem permissions during service startup.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-50900"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-13T23:15:52Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Wondershare Dr.Fone 12.0.18 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the misconfigured service path to insert malicious code that will be executed with LocalSystem permissions during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-cf2j-vp4v-vp5c",
"modified": "2026-01-14T00:31:27Z",
"published": "2026-01-14T00:31:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-50900"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50813"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wondershare-drfone-wondershare-installassist-unquoted-service-path"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.wondershare.com"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/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-CF3Q-GHM6-4Q45
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-06 18:30 – Updated: 2026-02-06 18:30
VLAI
Details
Alps HID Monitor Service 8.1.0.10 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\HidMonitorSvc.exe to inject malicious executables and gain system-level access.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-25292"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-06T17:16:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Alps HID Monitor Service 8.1.0.10 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in C:\\Program Files\\Apoint2K\\HidMonitorSvc.exe to inject malicious executables and gain system-level access.",
"id": "GHSA-cf3q-ghm6-4q45",
"modified": "2026-02-06T18:30:31Z",
"published": "2026-02-06T18:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-25292"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.alps.com/e"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47605"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/alps-hid-monitor-service-aphidmonitorservice-unquote-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-CHQQ-X5R9-MGFM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-09-27 15:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 07:54
VLAI
Details
Fortect - CWE-428: Unquoted Search Path or Element, may be used by local user to elevate privileges.
Severity
6.3 (Medium)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-42486"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-09-27T15:19:32Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Fortect - CWE-428: Unquoted Search Path or Element, may be used by local user to elevate privileges.\n\n",
"id": "GHSA-chqq-x5r9-mgfm",
"modified": "2024-04-04T07:54:32Z",
"published": "2023-09-27T15:30:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-42486"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.gov.il/en/Departments/faq/cve_advisories"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-CHQX-36RM-RF8H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-25 18:31 – Updated: 2024-10-09 22:05
VLAI
Summary
Grafana Alloy on Windows has Unquoted Search Path or Element vulnerability
Details
Unquoted Search Path or Element vulnerability in Grafana Alloy on Windows allows Privilege Escalation from Local User to SYSTEM. This issue affects Alloy: before 1.3.4, from 1.4.0-rc.0 and prior to 1.4.1.
Severity
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/grafana/alloy"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.3.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Go",
"name": "github.com/grafana/alloy"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "1.4.0-rc.0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.4.1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-8975"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2024-10-01T22:28:59Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2024-09-25T17:15:19Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Unquoted Search Path or Element vulnerability in Grafana Alloy on Windows allows Privilege Escalation from Local User to SYSTEM.\nThis issue affects Alloy: before 1.3.4, from 1.4.0-rc.0 and prior to 1.4.1.",
"id": "GHSA-chqx-36rm-rf8h",
"modified": "2024-10-09T22:05:01Z",
"published": "2024-09-25T18:31:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-8975"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/grafana/alloy/commit/88e779887690954c009503598a3f4bf563cb6596"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/grafana/alloy/commit/f14249012fd970d3fd73604e6fff9b6c7990a9bb"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/grafana/alloy"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/grafana/alloy/releases/tag/v1.3.4"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/grafana/alloy/releases/tag/v1.4.0"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/grafana/alloy/releases/tag/v1.4.1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://grafana.com/blog/2024/09/25/grafana-alloy-and-grafana-agent-flow-security-release-high-severity-fix-for-cve-2024-8975-and-cve-2024-8996"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://grafana.com/security/security-advisories/cve-2024-8975"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2024-3168"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "Grafana Alloy on Windows has Unquoted Search Path or Element vulnerability"
}
GHSA-CJ9F-2HWG-WHQR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:37 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:37
VLAI
Details
An Unquoted Search Path or Element issue was discovered in Progea Movicon Version 11.5.1181 and prior. An unquoted search path or element vulnerability has been identified, which may allow an authorized local user to insert arbitrary code into the unquoted service path and escalate his or her privileges.
Severity
6.7 (Medium)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-14019"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-10-19T23:29:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An Unquoted Search Path or Element issue was discovered in Progea Movicon Version 11.5.1181 and prior. An unquoted search path or element vulnerability has been identified, which may allow an authorized local user to insert arbitrary code into the unquoted service path and escalate his or her privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-cj9f-2hwg-whqr",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:37:39Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:37:39Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-14019"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-290-01"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101483"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-CQWX-F579-RFMC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:08 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:08
VLAI
Details
A potential security vulnerability has been identified with certain versions of HP System Event Utility prior to version 1.4.33. This vulnerability may allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via an HP System Event Utility system service.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-18915"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-20",
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-02-13T00:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A potential security vulnerability has been identified with certain versions of HP System Event Utility prior to version 1.4.33. This vulnerability may allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via an HP System Event Utility system service.",
"id": "GHSA-cqwx-f579-rfmc",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:08:52Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:08:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-18915"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06559359"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Feb/8"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-CVPR-72QQ-65CC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-11-27 00:00 – Updated: 2021-12-04 00:01
VLAI
Details
A local administrator could prevent the HMPA service from starting despite tamper protection using an unquoted service path vulnerability in the HMPA component of Sophos Intercept X Advanced and Sophos Intercept X Advanced for Server before version 2.0.23, as well as Sophos Exploit Prevention before version 3.8.3.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-25269"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-11-26T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A local administrator could prevent the HMPA service from starting despite tamper protection using an unquoted service path vulnerability in the HMPA component of Sophos Intercept X Advanced and Sophos Intercept X Advanced for Server before version 2.0.23, as well as Sophos Exploit Prevention before version 3.8.3.",
"id": "GHSA-cvpr-72qq-65cc",
"modified": "2021-12-04T00:01:31Z",
"published": "2021-11-27T00:00:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-25269"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.sophos.com/en-us/security-advisories/sophos-sa-20211126-ixa-hmpa-local-dos"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-CW6H-GVCJ-WW9C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-04-23 09:30 – Updated: 2024-04-23 09:30
VLAI
Details
Unquoted Search Path or Element vulnerability in Logitech MEVO WEBCAM APP on Windows allows Local Execution of Code.
Severity
4.4 (Medium)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-4031"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-04-23T07:15:43Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Unquoted Search Path or Element vulnerability in Logitech MEVO WEBCAM APP on Windows allows Local Execution of Code.",
"id": "GHSA-cw6h-gvcj-ww9c",
"modified": "2024-04-23T09:30:46Z",
"published": "2024-04-23T09:30:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-4031"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/428.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
Implementation
Properly quote the full search path before executing a program on the system.
Mitigation MIT-5
Implementation
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
Implementation
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.