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-2RJC-3F9W-GHG6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-07-28 12:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 06:24A vulnerability was found in AO-OPC server versions mentioned above. As the directory information for the service entry is not enclosed in quotation marks, potential attackers could possibly call up another application than the AO-OPC server by starting the service. The service might be started with system user privileges which could cause a shift in user access privileges.
It is unlikely to exploit the vulnerability in well maintained Windows installations since the attacker would need write access to system folders.
An update is available that resolves the vulnerability found during an internal review in the product AO-OPC = 3.2.1
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-2685"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-07-28T12:15:09Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in AO-OPC server versions mentioned above. As the directory information for the service entry is not enclosed in quotation marks, potential attackers could possibly call up another application than the AO-OPC server by starting the service. The service might be started with system user privileges which could cause a shift in user access privileges.\n\nIt is unlikely to exploit the vulnerability in well maintained Windows installations since the attacker would need write access to system folders.\n\nAn update is available that resolves the vulnerability found during an internal review in the product AO-OPC = 3.2.1\u00a0\n",
"id": "GHSA-2rjc-3f9w-ghg6",
"modified": "2024-04-04T06:24:59Z",
"published": "2023-07-28T12:30:37Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2685"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://search.abb.com/library/Download.aspx?DocumentID=9AKK108468A4093\u0026LanguageCode=en\u0026DocumentPartId=\u0026Action=Launch"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-2VM4-G44X-W548
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:32 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:32Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the srvInventoryWebServer service in 10-Strike Network Monitor 5.4 allows local users to gain privileges via a malicious artefact.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-6016"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-03-12T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the srvInventoryWebServer service in 10-Strike Network Monitor 5.4 allows local users to gain privileges via a malicious artefact.",
"id": "GHSA-2vm4-g44x-w548",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:32:28Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:32:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-6016"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2018/Mar/21"
}
],
"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-2WG5-9J86-2MMQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-23 18:31 – Updated: 2026-01-23 18:31Softros LAN Messenger 9.6.4 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the SoftrosSpellChecker service that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Softros Systems\Softros Messenger\Spell Checker\' to inject malicious executables and escalate privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47889"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-23T17:15:52Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Softros LAN Messenger 9.6.4 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the SoftrosSpellChecker service that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in \u0027C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Softros Systems\\Softros Messenger\\Spell Checker\\\u0027 to inject malicious executables and escalate privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-2wg5-9j86-2mmq",
"modified": "2026-01-23T18:31:29Z",
"published": "2026-01-23T18:31:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47889"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49588"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.softros.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/softros-lan-messenger-softrosspellchecker-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-333X-JCC3-M545
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-03-04 00:00 – Updated: 2022-03-17 00:03Remote Desktop Commander Suite Agent before v4.8 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-25031"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-03-03T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Remote Desktop Commander Suite Agent before v4.8 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.",
"id": "GHSA-333x-jcc3-m545",
"modified": "2022-03-17T00:03:46Z",
"published": "2022-03-04T00:00:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-25031"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://hansesecure.de/2022/02/vulnerability-in-remote-desktop-commander-suite-agent/?lang=en"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.rdpsoft.com/uqspvuln"
}
],
"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-3364-G3C8-W87Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-19 15:33 – Updated: 2026-06-19 15:33AnyDesk 2.5.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by exploiting the service installation. Attackers can insert malicious executables in the system root path that execute with elevated privileges during application startup or system reboot.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-20094"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-19T15:16:33Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "AnyDesk 2.5.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges by exploiting the service installation. Attackers can insert malicious executables in the system root path that execute with elevated privileges during application startup or system reboot.",
"id": "GHSA-3364-g3c8-w87q",
"modified": "2026-06-19T15:33:18Z",
"published": "2026-06-19T15:33:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20094"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40410"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/anydesk-unquoted-service-path-elevation-of-privilege"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://anydesk.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://anydesk.com/download"
}
],
"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-3389-W97W-JQJJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:57 – Updated: 2025-04-20 03:42Multiple unquoted service path vulnerabilities in Sierra Wireless Windows Mobile Broadband Driver Package (MBDP) with build ID < 4657 allows local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-9247"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-08-02T19:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Multiple unquoted service path vulnerabilities in Sierra Wireless Windows Mobile Broadband Driver Package (MBDP) with build ID \u003c 4657 allows local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-3389-w97w-jqjj",
"modified": "2025-04-20T03:42:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:57:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-9247"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/cve-2017-9247-unquoted-service-path-vulnerabilities"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-12739"
}
],
"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-34VH-GP42-G4H6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:24 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:24Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the autorun value in Dell SonicWall NetExtender before 7.5.227 and 8.0.x before 8.0.238, as used in the SRA firmware before 7.5.1.2-40sv and 8.x before 8.0.0.3-23sv, allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse program in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% folder.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2015-4173"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2015-08-26T19:59:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the autorun value in Dell SonicWall NetExtender before 7.5.227 and 8.0.x before 8.0.238, as used in the SRA firmware before 7.5.1.2-40sv and 8.x before 8.0.0.3-23sv, allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse program in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% folder.",
"id": "GHSA-34vh-gp42-g4h6",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:24:30Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:24:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-4173"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.software.dell.com/product-notification/157537"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/133302/Dell-SonicWall-NetExtender-7.5.215-Privilege-Escalation.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/536303/100/0/threaded"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033417"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-34XC-RRM5-3HHJ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-23 00:30 – Updated: 2025-12-23 00:30SOUND4 Server Service 4.1.102 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local non-privileged users to potentially execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path by inserting malicious code in the system root path that could execute with LocalSystem privileges during service startup.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-53965"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-22T22:16:01Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "SOUND4 Server Service 4.1.102 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local non-privileged users to potentially execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path by inserting malicious code in the system root path that could execute with LocalSystem privileges during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-34xc-rrm5-3hhj",
"modified": "2025-12-23T00:30:31Z",
"published": "2025-12-23T00:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-53965"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20221207074555/https://www.sound4.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/51167"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/sound-server-service-local-privilege-escalation-via-unquoted-service-path"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2022-5721.php"
}
],
"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:N/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-355F-VF9W-7HM2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-28 00:00 – Updated: 2022-05-10 00:00In ControlUp Real-Time Agent before 8.6, an unquoted path can result in privilege escalation. An attacker would require write permissions to the root level of the OS drive (C:) to exploit this.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-27905"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-04-27T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "In ControlUp Real-Time Agent before 8.6, an unquoted path can result in privilege escalation. An attacker would require write permissions to the root level of the OS drive (C:\\) to exploit this.",
"id": "GHSA-355f-vf9w-7hm2",
"modified": "2022-05-10T00:00:39Z",
"published": "2022-04-28T00:00:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-27905"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.controlup.com/security/cve-2022-27905"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-35JR-5458-R65R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-26 18:31 – Updated: 2026-01-26 18:31IObit Uninstaller 10 Pro contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted service path in the IObit Uninstaller Service to insert malicious code that would execute with SYSTEM-level permissions during service startup.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-36952"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-26T16:15:54Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "IObit Uninstaller 10 Pro contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted service path in the IObit Uninstaller Service to insert malicious code that would execute with SYSTEM-level permissions during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-35jr-5458-r65r",
"modified": "2026-01-26T18:31:29Z",
"published": "2026-01-26T18:31:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36952"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49371"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.iobit.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/iobit-uninstaller-pro-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"
}
]
}
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.