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-2GR9-GWRG-JC3V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-29 15:30 – Updated: 2026-01-29 15:3010-Strike Bandwidth Monitor 3.9 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in multiple services that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in specific file path locations to achieve privilege escalation to SYSTEM during service startup.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-37021"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-29T15:16:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "10-Strike Bandwidth Monitor 3.9 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in multiple services that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in specific file path locations to achieve privilege escalation to SYSTEM during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-2gr9-gwrg-jc3v",
"modified": "2026-01-29T15:30:28Z",
"published": "2026-01-29T15:30:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-37021"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.10-strike.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48591"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/bandwidth-monitor-svcstrikebandmontitor-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-2H5M-6PCF-VJF3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-05 00:31 – Updated: 2026-02-05 00:31Alps Pointing-device Controller 8.1202.1711.04 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the ApHidMonitorService that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the service path and gain system-level access when the service restarts or the system reboots.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-25285"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-05T00:15:52Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Alps Pointing-device Controller 8.1202.1711.04 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the ApHidMonitorService that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the service path and gain system-level access when the service restarts or the system reboots.",
"id": "GHSA-2h5m-6pcf-vjf3",
"modified": "2026-02-05T00:31:01Z",
"published": "2026-02-05T00:31:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-25285"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.alps.com/e"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47637"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/alps-pointing-device-controller-aphidmonitorservice-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-2HMC-82RG-26HV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-10-17 15:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 08:43An unquoted service path vulnerability in HCL AppScan Presence, deployed as a Windows service in HCL AppScan on Cloud (ASoC), may allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-37537"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-10-17T15:15:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An unquoted service path vulnerability in HCL AppScan Presence, deployed as a Windows service in HCL AppScan on Cloud (ASoC), may allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges. \n",
"id": "GHSA-2hmc-82rg-26hv",
"modified": "2024-04-04T08:43:34Z",
"published": "2023-10-17T15:30:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-37537"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.hcltechsw.com/csm?id=kb_article\u0026sysparm_article=KB0108018"
}
],
"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-2JPM-7MPV-5FJM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-01-14 00:31Sandboxie-Plus 5.50.2 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the SbieSvc Windows service that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path to inject malicious executables that will be run with LocalSystem privileges during service startup.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-50920"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-13T23:15:55Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Sandboxie-Plus 5.50.2 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the SbieSvc Windows service that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path to inject malicious executables that will be run with LocalSystem privileges during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-2jpm-7mpv-5fjm",
"modified": "2026-01-14T00:31:28Z",
"published": "2026-01-14T00:31:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-50920"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sandboxie-plus.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50819"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/sandboxie-plus-service-sbiesvc-unquoted-service-path"
}
],
"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-2JPW-MVCX-5WQH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-16 18:31 – Updated: 2026-05-16 18:31VX Search 13.5.28 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in both VX Search Server and VX Search Enterprise services that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place malicious executables in unquoted path directories like C:\Program Files\VX Search to execute arbitrary code with LocalSystem privileges when services restart.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47974"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-16T16:16:22Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "VX Search 13.5.28 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in both VX Search Server and VX Search Enterprise services that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place malicious executables in unquoted path directories like C:\\Program Files\\VX Search to execute arbitrary code with LocalSystem privileges when services restart.",
"id": "GHSA-2jpw-mvcx-5wqh",
"modified": "2026-05-16T18:31:38Z",
"published": "2026-05-16T18:31:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47974"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50026"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/vx-search-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vxsearch.com"
}
],
"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-2JXX-QPJM-MVC4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-26 03:30 – Updated: 2025-11-26 03:30The RupsMon and USBMate services in UPSilon 2000 run with SYSTEM privileges and contain unquoted service paths. This allows a local attacker to perform path interception and escalate privileges if they have write permissions to the directories proceeding that of which the real service executables live in
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-66269"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-26T02:15:50Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The RupsMon and USBMate services in UPSilon 2000 run with SYSTEM privileges and contain unquoted service paths. This allows a local attacker to perform path interception and escalate privileges if they have write permissions to the directories proceeding that of which the real service executables live in",
"id": "GHSA-2jxx-qpjm-mvc4",
"modified": "2025-11-26T03:30:22Z",
"published": "2025-11-26T03:30:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-66269"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.megatec.com.tw/software-download"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:L/VA:L/SC:H/SI:L/SA:L/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-2PJ7-PFH7-3H56
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:05 – Updated: 2024-04-04 02:45An unquoted search path vulnerability in Multiple Yokogawa products for Windows (Exaopc (R1.01.00 ? R3.77.00), Exaplog (R1.10.00 ? R3.40.00), Exaquantum (R1.10.00 ? R3.02.00 and R3.15.00), Exaquantum/Batch (R1.01.00 ? R2.50.40), Exasmoc (all revisions), Exarqe (all revisions), GA10 (R1.01.01 ? R3.05.01), and InsightSuiteAE (R1.01.00 ? R1.06.00)) allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file and execute arbitrary code with eleveted privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-6008"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-12-26T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An unquoted search path vulnerability in Multiple Yokogawa products for Windows (Exaopc (R1.01.00 ? R3.77.00), Exaplog (R1.10.00 ? R3.40.00), Exaquantum (R1.10.00 ? R3.02.00 and R3.15.00), Exaquantum/Batch (R1.01.00 ? R2.50.40), Exasmoc (all revisions), Exarqe (all revisions), GA10 (R1.01.01 ? R3.05.01), and InsightSuiteAE (R1.01.00 ? R1.06.00)) allow local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file and execute arbitrary code with eleveted privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-2pj7-pfh7-3h56",
"modified": "2024-04-04T02:45:30Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:05:06Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-6008"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.yokogawa.com/library/resources/white-papers/yokogawa-security-advisory-report-list"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://jvn.jp/vu/JVNVU98228725/index.html"
}
],
"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-2PWR-M875-CVC9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-05-10 15:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 04:00Uncontrolled search path in some Intel(R) Pathfinder for RISC-V software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-27386"
],
"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 some Intel(R) Pathfinder for RISC-V software may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-2pwr-m875-cvc9",
"modified": "2024-04-04T04:00:55Z",
"published": "2023-05-10T15:30:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-27386"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00855.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-2QP4-XPM8-6JMQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-18 00:00 – Updated: 2022-02-26 00:01TRIGONE Remote System Monitor 3.61 is vulnerable to an unquoted path service allowing local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-46368"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-02-17T12:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "TRIGONE Remote System Monitor 3.61 is vulnerable to an unquoted path service allowing local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-2qp4-xpm8-6jmq",
"modified": "2022-02-26T00:01:01Z",
"published": "2022-02-18T00:00:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-46368"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165404/TRIGONE-Remote-System-Monitor-3.61-Unquoted-Service-Path.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50633"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-2QXV-Q349-J3HW
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-15 00:00 – Updated: 2022-06-25 00:00SAP PowerDesigner Proxy - version 16.7, allows an attacker with low privileges and has local access, with the ability to work around system’s root disk access restrictions to Write/Create a program file on system disk root path, which could then be executed with elevated privileges of the application during application start up or reboot, potentially compromising Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of the system.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-31590"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-14T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "SAP PowerDesigner Proxy - version 16.7, allows an attacker with low privileges and has local access, with the ability to work around system\u2019s root disk access restrictions to Write/Create a program file on system disk root path, which could then be executed with elevated privileges of the application during application start up or reboot, potentially compromising Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of the system.",
"id": "GHSA-2qxv-q349-j3hw",
"modified": "2022-06-25T00:00:53Z",
"published": "2022-06-15T00:00:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-31590"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/3197005"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.sap.com/documents/2022/02/fa865ea4-167e-0010-bca6-c68f7e60039b.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"
}
]
}
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.