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-M5QF-4XVF-462H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-01-31 15:30 – Updated: 2024-02-09 03:32Unquoted service path in ESET products allows to
drop a prepared program to a specific location and run on boot with the
NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService permissions.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-7043"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-01-31T13:15:10Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "Unquoted service path in ESET products allows to \n\ndrop a prepared program to a specific location\u00a0and\u00a0run on boot with the \n\nNT AUTHORITY\\NetworkService\u00a0permissions.",
"id": "GHSA-m5qf-4xvf-462h",
"modified": "2024-02-09T03:32:58Z",
"published": "2024-01-31T15:30:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-7043"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.eset.com/en/ca8602"
}
],
"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:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-M6PP-CVWM-HR7V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-11-11 18:30 – Updated: 2025-11-11 18:30Unquoted search path for some PRI Driver software before version 03.03.1002 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires active user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-32449"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-11-11T17:15:49Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Unquoted search path for some PRI Driver software before version 03.03.1002 within Ring 3: User Applications may allow an escalation of privilege. Unprivileged software adversary with an authenticated user combined with a high complexity attack may enable escalation of privilege. This result may potentially occur via local access when attack requirements are present without special internal knowledge and requires active user interaction. The potential vulnerability may impact the confidentiality (high), integrity (high) and availability (high) of the vulnerable system, resulting in subsequent system confidentiality (none), integrity (none) and availability (none) impacts.",
"id": "GHSA-m6pp-cvwm-hr7v",
"modified": "2025-11-11T18:30:19Z",
"published": "2025-11-11T18:30:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-32449"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-01394.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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/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-M95V-G4PM-PCQ9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:11 – Updated: 2024-04-04 02:49An unquoted service path vulnerability in the FortiClient FortiTray component of FortiClientWindows v6.2.2 and prior allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges via the FortiClientConsole executable service path.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-17658"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-03-12T22:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An unquoted service path vulnerability in the FortiClient FortiTray component of FortiClientWindows v6.2.2 and prior allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges via the FortiClientConsole executable service path.",
"id": "GHSA-m95v-g4pm-pcq9",
"modified": "2024-04-04T02:49:19Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:11:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-17658"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-19-281"
}
],
"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"
}
]
}
GHSA-MCGR-RHR9-5298
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-14 01:18 – Updated: 2022-05-14 01:18An unquoted search path vulnerability was identified in Lenovo Dynamic Power Reduction Utility prior to version 2.2.2.0 that could allow a malicious user with local access to execute code with administrative privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-6149"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-03-18T01:32:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An unquoted search path vulnerability was identified in Lenovo Dynamic Power Reduction Utility prior to version 2.2.2.0 that could allow a malicious user with local access to execute code with administrative privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-mcgr-rhr9-5298",
"modified": "2022-05-14T01:18:19Z",
"published": "2022-05-14T01:18:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-6149"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.lenovo.com/solutions/LEN-25674"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107438"
}
],
"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-MFWF-2CJ2-J29M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-21 00:01 – Updated: 2022-05-27 00:00Private Internet Access v3.3 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-27092"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-05-20T13:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Private Internet Access v3.3 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.",
"id": "GHSA-mfwf-2cj2-j29m",
"modified": "2022-05-27T00:00:45Z",
"published": "2022-05-21T00:01:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-27092"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50804"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-MG67-HQ97-F99J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 01:57 – Updated: 2022-05-17 01:57An unquoted service path vulnerability was identified in the driver for the ThinkPad Compact USB Keyboard with TrackPoint versions earlier than 1.5.5.0. This could allow an attacker with local privileges to execute code with administrative privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-3751"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-08-10T00:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An unquoted service path vulnerability was identified in the driver for the ThinkPad Compact USB Keyboard with TrackPoint versions earlier than 1.5.5.0. This could allow an attacker with local privileges to execute code with administrative privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-mg67-hq97-f99j",
"modified": "2022-05-17T01:57:41Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T01:57:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-3751"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/product_security/LEN-15061"
}
],
"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-MH9Q-H34J-62WG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-01-14 00:31BlueSoleilCS 5.4.277 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configuration that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in 'C:\Program Files\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BlueSoleilCS.exe' to inject malicious executables and escalate privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-50928"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-13T23:15:57Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "BlueSoleilCS 5.4.277 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configuration that allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path in \u0027C:\\Program Files\\IVT Corporation\\BlueSoleil\\BlueSoleilCS.exe\u0027 to inject malicious executables and escalate privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-mh9q-h34j-62wg",
"modified": "2026-01-14T00:31:28Z",
"published": "2026-01-14T00:31:28Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-50928"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210624054150/http://ivtcorporation.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50761"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/bluetooth-application-bluesoleilcs-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-MHV4-FQQH-2P7M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-17 03:38 – Updated: 2022-05-17 03:38Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application before 3.8.0.310 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% directory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-6935"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2016-10-13T19:59:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application before 3.8.0.310 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse executable file in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% directory.",
"id": "GHSA-mhv4-fqqh-2p7m",
"modified": "2022-05-17T03:38:54Z",
"published": "2022-05-17T03:38:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-6935"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb16-34.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93489"
}
],
"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-MPWM-CJCC-56WQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-16 21:30 – Updated: 2026-01-16 21:30DHCP Broadband 4.1.0.1503 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its service configuration that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in 'C:\Program Files\DHCP Broadband 4\dhcpt.exe' to inject malicious code that will execute during service startup with LocalSystem permissions.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47829"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-16T19:16:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "DHCP Broadband 4.1.0.1503 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its service configuration that allows local attackers to execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in \u0027C:\\Program Files\\DHCP Broadband 4\\dhcpt.exe\u0027 to inject malicious code that will execute during service startup with LocalSystem permissions.",
"id": "GHSA-mpwm-cjcc-56wq",
"modified": "2026-01-16T21:30:36Z",
"published": "2026-01-16T21:30:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47829"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49850"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/dhcp-broadband-dhcptexe-unquoted-service-path"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.weird-solutions.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-MQ6J-M5V8-2RMR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-16 00:30 – Updated: 2026-01-16 00:30Macro Expert 4.7 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the improperly configured service path to inject malicious executables that will be run with LocalSystem permissions during service startup.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-47780"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-16T00:16:21Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Macro Expert 4.7 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated system privileges. Attackers can exploit the improperly configured service path to inject malicious executables that will be run with LocalSystem permissions during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-mq6j-m5v8-2rmr",
"modified": "2026-01-16T00:30:54Z",
"published": "2026-01-16T00:30:54Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-47780"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50431"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/macro-expert-unquoted-service-path"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.macro-expert.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"
}
]
}
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.