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-VW42-P2XJ-XQ5Q
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-05 00:31 – Updated: 2026-02-05 00:31
VLAI
Details
Wing FTP Server 6.0.7 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in the service configuration to inject malicious executables that will be launched with LocalSystem permissions.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-25267"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-05T00:15:50Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Wing FTP Server 6.0.7 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in the service configuration to inject malicious executables that will be launched with LocalSystem permissions.",
"id": "GHSA-vw42-p2xj-xq5q",
"modified": "2026-02-05T00:31:01Z",
"published": "2026-02-05T00:31:01Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-25267"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47818"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wing-ftp-server-unquoted-service-path"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.wftpserver.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-VX84-2M87-MV3F
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 03:01 – Updated: 2022-05-14 03:01
VLAI
Details
Unquoted service paths in Intel Quartus II Programmer and Tools in versions 11.0 - 15.0 allow a local attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code.
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-3687"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2018-07-10T21:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unquoted service paths in Intel Quartus II Programmer and Tools in versions 11.0 - 15.0 allow a local attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code.",
"id": "GHSA-vx84-2m87-mv3f",
"modified": "2022-05-14T03:01:00Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T03:01:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-3687"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00151.html"
}
],
"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-W248-C5QR-3R8V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:08 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:08
VLAI
Details
The Lexmark Printer Software G2, G3 and G4 Installation Packages have a local escalation of privilege vulnerability due to a registry entry that has an unquoted service path.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-35469"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-07-14T12:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The Lexmark Printer Software G2, G3 and G4 Installation Packages have a local escalation of privilege vulnerability due to a registry entry that has an unquoted service path.",
"id": "GHSA-w248-c5qr-3r8v",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:08:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:08:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-35469"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://support.lexmark.com/alerts"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://support.lexmark.com/index?id=TE952\u0026page=content\u0026locale=en\u0026userlocale=EN_US"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-W258-MJV8-MJJ6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-19 15:33 – Updated: 2026-06-19 15:33
VLAI
Details
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver 6.0.1.6730 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by placing a malicious executable in the service path. Attackers can insert an executable file in the unquoted path and restart the service to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-20085"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-19T15:16:31Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver 6.0.1.6730 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by placing a malicious executable in the service path. Attackers can insert an executable file in the unquoted path and restart the service to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-w258-mjv8-mjj6",
"modified": "2026-06-19T15:33:18Z",
"published": "2026-06-19T15:33:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20085"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40587"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/realtek-high-definition-audio-driver-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-W43V-GMGJ-WR42
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-16 00:30 – Updated: 2026-01-16 00:30
VLAI
Details
TotalAV 5.15.69 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in multiple system services running with LocalSystem privileges. Attackers can place malicious executables in specific unquoted path segments to potentially gain SYSTEM-level access by exploiting the service path configuration.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47787"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-16T00:16:22Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "TotalAV 5.15.69 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in multiple system services running with LocalSystem privileges. Attackers can place malicious executables in specific unquoted path segments to potentially gain SYSTEM-level access by exploiting the service path configuration.",
"id": "GHSA-w43v-gmgj-wr42",
"modified": "2026-01-16T00:30:55Z",
"published": "2026-01-16T00:30:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47787"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50314"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.totalav.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/totalav-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-W44X-F7WX-V7M6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:34 – Updated: 2023-11-15 21:35
VLAI
Details
Unquoted service executable path in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) prior to 10.7.0 November 2020 Update allows local users to cause a denial of service and malicious file execution via carefully crafted and named executable files.
Severity
7.8 (High)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-7331"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-11-12T10:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unquoted service executable path in McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) prior to 10.7.0 November 2020 Update allows local users to cause a denial of service and malicious file execution via carefully crafted and named executable files.",
"id": "GHSA-w44x-f7wx-v7m6",
"modified": "2023-11-15T21:35:01Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:34:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-7331"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content\u0026id=SB10335"
}
],
"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-W62M-J7RV-P5FF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-16 18:31 – Updated: 2026-05-16 18:31
VLAI
Details
Syncplify.me Server! 5.0.37 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the SMWebRestServicev5 service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting the unquoted binary path. Attackers can insert a malicious executable into the service path and execute it with LocalSystem privileges when the service restarts or the system reboots.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-37230"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-16T16:16:18Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Syncplify.me Server! 5.0.37 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the SMWebRestServicev5 service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting the unquoted binary path. Attackers can insert a malicious executable into the service path and execute it with LocalSystem privileges when the service restarts or the system reboots.",
"id": "GHSA-w62m-j7rv-p5ff",
"modified": "2026-05-16T18:31:36Z",
"published": "2026-05-16T18:31:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-37230"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://download.syncplify.me/SMServer_Setup.exe"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49009"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.syncplify.me"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/syncplify-me-server-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-W78P-VWM4-M8Q9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-18 21:32 – Updated: 2026-06-18 21:32
VLAI
Details
Punto Switcher through 4.5.0.583 contains an unquoted search path element vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the application's call to WinExec without a fully qualified path for RunDll32.exe when invoking shell32.dll Control_RunDLL input.dll. Attackers can place a malicious executable earlier in the search order to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected user.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-25865"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-18T20:16:12Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Punto Switcher through 4.5.0.583 contains an unquoted search path element vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the application\u0027s call to WinExec without a fully qualified path for RunDll32.exe when invoking shell32.dll Control_RunDLL input.dll. Attackers can place a malicious executable earlier in the search order to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected user.",
"id": "GHSA-w78p-vwm4-m8q9",
"modified": "2026-06-18T21:32:34Z",
"published": "2026-06-18T21:32:34Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-25865"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://spektion.com/articles/cve-2026-25865-punto-switcher"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/punto-switcher-unquoted-search-path-via-winexec"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://yandex.ru/soft/punto"
}
],
"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-W8J4-RC5F-V6F4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-01-14 00:31
VLAI
Details
CONTPAQi AdminPAQ 14.0.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the AppKeyLicenseServer service running with LocalSystem privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path to inject malicious code in the service binary path, potentially executing arbitrary code with elevated system privileges during service startup.
Severity
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-50938"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-13T23:15:59Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "CONTPAQi AdminPAQ 14.0.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the AppKeyLicenseServer service running with LocalSystem privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path to inject malicious code in the service binary path, potentially executing arbitrary code with elevated system privileges during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-w8j4-rc5f-v6f4",
"modified": "2026-01-14T00:31:28Z",
"published": "2026-01-14T00:31:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-50938"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.contpaqi.com/descargas"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50690"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/contpaqi-adminpaq-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-W8X6-W4F2-4MX4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-01-14 00:31
VLAI
Details
Flame II HSPA USB Modem contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configuration. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Telcel\ApplicationController.exe' to execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges.
Severity
9.8 (Critical)
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-50935"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-13T23:15:58Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Flame II HSPA USB Modem contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configuration. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in \u0027C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Internet Telcel\\ApplicationController.exe\u0027 to execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-w8x6-w4f2-4mx4",
"modified": "2026-01-14T00:31:28Z",
"published": "2026-01-14T00:31:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-50935"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20160402093509/https://www.telcel.com/personas/equipos/modems-usb/alcatel/x602a"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50708"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/flame-ii-modem-usb-unquoted-service-path"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/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"
}
]
}
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.