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-J33C-X6MP-P53C
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:21 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:21Unquoted search path in the installer for the Intel(R) NUC M15 Laptop Kit Keyboard LED Service driver pack before version 1.0.0.4 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-33095"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-11-17T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unquoted search path in the installer for the Intel(R) NUC M15 Laptop Kit Keyboard LED Service driver pack before version 1.0.0.4 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.",
"id": "GHSA-j33c-x6mp-p53c",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:21:01Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:21:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-33095"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00569.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-J3QP-CJ94-PMJ3
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-04 15:30 – Updated: 2026-04-04 15:30Hotspot Shield 6.0.3 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the hshld service binary that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by injecting malicious executables. Attackers can place executable files in the service path and upon service restart or system reboot, the malicious code executes with LocalSystem privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-20060"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-04T14:16:18Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Hotspot Shield 6.0.3 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the hshld service binary that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by injecting malicious executables. Attackers can place executable files in the service path and upon service restart or system reboot, the malicious code executes with LocalSystem privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-j3qp-cj94-pmj3",
"modified": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"published": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20060"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40528"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.hotspotshield.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.hotspotshield.com/download"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/hotspot-shield-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-J4C2-8CMH-CCG2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-04 15:30 – Updated: 2026-04-04 15:30NETGATE Registry Cleaner build 16.0.205 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the NGRegClnSrv service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting the service binary path. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the unquoted path and trigger service restart or system reboot to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-20057"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-04-04T14:16:18Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "NETGATE Registry Cleaner build 16.0.205 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the NGRegClnSrv service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting the service binary path. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the unquoted path and trigger service restart or system reboot to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-j4c2-8cmh-ccg2",
"modified": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"published": "2026-04-04T15:30:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20057"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40539"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netgate-registry-cleaner-build-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.netgate.sk"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.netgate.sk/download/download.php?id=4"
}
],
"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-J566-5Q32-FP24
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-16 21:30 – Updated: 2026-01-16 21:30Spy Emergency 25.0.650 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configurations that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted file paths in SpyEmergencyHealth.exe and SpyEmergencySrv.exe to inject malicious code during system startup or service restart.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47845"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-16T19:16:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Spy Emergency 25.0.650 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configurations that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted file paths in SpyEmergencyHealth.exe and SpyEmergencySrv.exe to inject malicious code during system startup or service restart.",
"id": "GHSA-j566-5q32-fp24",
"modified": "2026-01-16T21:30:37Z",
"published": "2026-01-16T21:30:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47845"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49997"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.spy-emergency.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/spy-emergency-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-J75R-MVQG-V696
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-16 21:30 – Updated: 2026-01-16 21:30WifiHotSpot 1.0.0.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its WifiHotSpotService.exe that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path during system startup or reboot to inject and run malicious executables with LocalSystem permissions.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47833"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-16T19:16:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "WifiHotSpot 1.0.0.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its WifiHotSpotService.exe that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path during system startup or reboot to inject and run malicious executables with LocalSystem permissions.",
"id": "GHSA-j75r-mvqg-v696",
"modified": "2026-01-16T21:30:36Z",
"published": "2026-01-16T21:30:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47833"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://wifi-hotspot.gearboxcomputers.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49845"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wifihotspot-wifihotspotserviceexe-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-J78Q-C5H2-P5C8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-05 00:31 – Updated: 2026-02-05 00:31TexasSoft CyberPlanet 6.4.131 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the CCSrvProxy service that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\TenaxSoft\CyberPlanet\SrvProxy.exe' to inject malicious executables and gain elevated system privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-25272"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-05T00:15:51Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "TexasSoft CyberPlanet 6.4.131 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the CCSrvProxy service that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in \u0027C:\\Program Files (x86)\\TenaxSoft\\CyberPlanet\\SrvProxy.exe\u0027 to inject malicious executables and gain elevated system privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-j78q-c5h2-p5c8",
"modified": "2026-02-05T00:31:01Z",
"published": "2026-02-05T00:31:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-25272"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tenaxsoft.com/index.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47724"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/texassoft-cyberplanet-ccsrvproxy-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-J79X-HC4H-RFV9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-03 15:30 – Updated: 2026-02-03 15:30Sync Breeze Enterprise 12.4.18 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path by placing malicious executables in specific file system locations to hijack the service startup process.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-37100"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-03T15:16:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Sync Breeze Enterprise 12.4.18 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path by placing malicious executables in specific file system locations to hijack the service startup process.",
"id": "GHSA-j79x-hc4h-rfv9",
"modified": "2026-02-03T15:30:23Z",
"published": "2026-02-03T15:30:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-37100"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48045"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/sync-breeze-enterprise-unquoted-service-path"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.syncbreeze.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-J8G4-QGJP-W2G8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-10-23 15:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 08:52The Zscaler Client Connector Installer and Unsintallers for Windows prior to 3.6 had an unquoted search path vulnerability. A local adversary may be able to execute code with SYSTEM privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-26735"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-346",
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-10-23T14:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The Zscaler Client Connector Installer and Unsintallers for Windows prior to 3.6 had an unquoted search path vulnerability. A local adversary may be able to execute code with SYSTEM privileges.\n\n\n\n\n\n",
"id": "GHSA-j8g4-qgjp-w2g8",
"modified": "2024-04-04T08:52:53Z",
"published": "2023-10-23T15:30:24Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26735"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://help.zscaler.com/zscaler-client-connector/client-connector-app-release-summary-2021"
}
],
"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-J9G7-7QQ4-88M2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-02-17 09:33 – Updated: 2023-03-07 18:30A vulnerability was found in phjounin TFTPD64-SE 4.64 and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file tftpd64_svc.exe. The manipulation leads to unquoted search path. An attack has to be approached locally. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-221351.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-0887"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-02-17T09:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in phjounin TFTPD64-SE 4.64 and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file tftpd64_svc.exe. The manipulation leads to unquoted search path. An attack has to be approached locally. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-221351.",
"id": "GHSA-j9g7-7qq4-88m2",
"modified": "2023-03-07T18:30:39Z",
"published": "2023-02-17T09:33:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0887"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.221351"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.221351"
}
],
"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-J9RV-445P-87G9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:32 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:32Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the panda_url_filtering service in Panda Global Protection 17.0.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a malicious artefact.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-6321"
],
"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 panda_url_filtering service in Panda Global Protection 17.0.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a malicious artefact.",
"id": "GHSA-j9rv-445p-87g9",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:32:30Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:32:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-6321"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2018/Mar/25"
}
],
"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.