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-WC9Q-RCHP-5RXF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:33 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:33Dr.Fone 3.0.0 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DriverInstall.exe because %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Wondershare\dr.fone\Library\DriverInstaller has Full Control for BUILTIN\Users.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-27992"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-11-02T21:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Dr.Fone 3.0.0 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DriverInstall.exe because %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\\Wondershare\\dr.fone\\Library\\DriverInstaller has Full Control for BUILTIN\\Users.",
"id": "GHSA-wc9q-rchp-5rxf",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:33:00Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:33:00Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-27992"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://drfone.wondershare.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159775/Wondershare-Dr.Fone-3.0.0-Unquoted-Service-Path.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-WG6J-WQ96-5MM4
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-27 21:31 – Updated: 2026-01-27 21:31Atheros Coex Service Application 8.0.0.255 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configuration. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path by placing malicious executables in the service path to gain elevated system privileges during service startup.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-36979"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-27T19:16:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Atheros Coex Service Application 8.0.0.255 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configuration. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path by placing malicious executables in the service path to gain elevated system privileges during service startup.",
"id": "GHSA-wg6j-wq96-5mm4",
"modified": "2026-01-27T21:31:47Z",
"published": "2026-01-27T21:31:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36979"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.boostbyreason.com/resource-file-9102-ath_coexagent-exe.aspx"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49053"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.file.net/process/ath_coexagent.exe.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/atheros-coex-service-application-zatheros-btwlan-coex-agent-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-WJ5W-RHM5-2VF6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-03 03:30 – Updated: 2024-05-03 03:30Triangle MicroWorks SCADA Data Gateway GTWWebMonitorService Unquoted Search Path Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute code on affected installations of Triangle MicroWorks SCADA Data Gateway. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed.
The specific flaw exists within the configuration of the GTWWebMonitorService service. The path to the service executable contains spaces not surrounded by quotations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-20538.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-39464"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-03T03:15:11Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Triangle MicroWorks SCADA Data Gateway GTWWebMonitorService Unquoted Search Path Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute code on affected installations of Triangle MicroWorks SCADA Data Gateway. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed.\n\nThe specific flaw exists within the configuration of the GTWWebMonitorService service. The path to the service executable contains spaces not surrounded by quotations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-20538.",
"id": "GHSA-wj5w-rhm5-2vf6",
"modified": "2024-05-03T03:30:56Z",
"published": "2024-05-03T03:30:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-39464"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.trianglemicroworks.com/products/scada-data-gateway/what\u0027s-new"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1032"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-WM68-2Q7P-5XH6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-02 00:00 – Updated: 2022-04-09 00:00FreeFtpd version 1.0.13 and below contains an unquoted service path vulnerability which allows local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-27052"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-03-31T23:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "FreeFtpd version 1.0.13 and below contains an unquoted service path vulnerability which allows local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-wm68-2q7p-5xh6",
"modified": "2022-04-09T00:00:50Z",
"published": "2022-04-02T00:00:17Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-27052"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ycdxsb/Vuln/tree/main/FreeFTPd-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"
}
]
}
GHSA-WMXP-P5XQ-V7FC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-19 15:33 – Updated: 2026-06-19 15:33Wise Care 365 4.27 and Wise Disk Cleaner 9.29 contain unquoted service path vulnerabilities in the WiseBootAssistant and SpyHunter 4 Service respectively, allowing local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. Attackers can insert malicious executables in the system root path that execute during service startup or system reboot with elevated privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2016-20093"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-19T15:16:33Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Wise Care 365 4.27 and Wise Disk Cleaner 9.29 contain unquoted service path vulnerabilities in the WiseBootAssistant and SpyHunter 4 Service respectively, allowing local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. Attackers can insert malicious executables in the system root path that execute during service startup or system reboot with elevated privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-wmxp-p5xq-v7fc",
"modified": "2026-06-19T15:33:18Z",
"published": "2026-06-19T15:33:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20093"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40417"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wise-care-365-and-wise-disk-cleaner-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.wisecleaner.com"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-disk-cleaner.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"
},
{
"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-WMXR-3XF2-7GJQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-02-09 09:30 – Updated: 2026-02-09 09:30Products provided by Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. and its OEM products (Ricoh Co., Ltd., Murata Machinery, Ltd.) register Windows services with unquoted file paths. A user with the write permission on the root directory of the system drive may execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privilege.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-24466"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-02-09T07:16:18Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Products provided by Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. and its OEM products (Ricoh Co., Ltd., Murata Machinery, Ltd.) register Windows services with unquoted file paths. A user with the write permission on the root directory of the system drive may execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privilege.",
"id": "GHSA-wmxr-3xf2-7gjq",
"modified": "2026-02-09T09:30:21Z",
"published": "2026-02-09T09:30:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-24466"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jp.ricoh.com/security/products/vulnerabilities/vul?id=ricoh-2026-000002"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN55395471"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.muratec.jp/ce/support/announce_sp_20260209.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.oki.com/jp/printing/support/important-information/2026/info-260209/index.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.oki.com/jp/product_security/sa_2026_0001_en.html"
}
],
"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"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/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-WQHQ-2HF2-282R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-08-14 18:31 – Updated: 2025-08-21 15:30The service executable path in Seagate Toolkit on Versions prior to 2.34.0.33 on Windows allows an attacker with Admin privileges to exploit a vulnerability as classified under CWE-428: Unquoted Search Path or Element. An attacker with write permissions to the root could place a malicious Program.exe file, which would execute with SYSTEM privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-9043"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-08-14T17:15:42Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The service executable path in Seagate Toolkit on Versions prior to 2.34.0.33 on Windows allows an attacker with Admin privileges to exploit a vulnerability as classified under CWE-428: Unquoted Search Path or Element. An attacker with write permissions to the root could place a malicious Program.exe file, which would execute with SYSTEM privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-wqhq-2hf2-282r",
"modified": "2025-08-21T15:30:32Z",
"published": "2025-08-14T18:31:30Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-9043"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/Tiger3080/CVE-2025-9043"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.seagate.com/product-security/#security-advisories"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.seagate.com/support/software/toolkit"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/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-WVXQ-988M-CCXF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-09-15 18:30 – Updated: 2023-09-15 18:30A vulnerability was found in NextBX QWAlerter 4.50. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file QWAlerter.exe. The manipulation leads to unquoted search path. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-239804. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-4991"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-09-15T16:15:08Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in NextBX QWAlerter 4.50. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file QWAlerter.exe. The manipulation leads to unquoted search path. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-239804. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.",
"id": "GHSA-wvxq-988m-ccxf",
"modified": "2023-09-15T18:30:31Z",
"published": "2023-09-15T18:30:31Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-4991"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.239804"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.239804"
}
],
"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-WW66-FHWC-48M5
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-01-14 00:31 – Updated: 2026-01-14 00:31Wondershare Dr.Fone 11.4.9 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the DFWSIDService that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in C:\Program Files (x86)\Wondershare\Wondershare Dr.Fone\ to inject malicious executables that would run with LocalSystem privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-50901"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-01-13T23:15:52Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Wondershare Dr.Fone 11.4.9 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the DFWSIDService that allows local users to potentially execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Wondershare\\Wondershare Dr.Fone\\ to inject malicious executables that would run with LocalSystem privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-ww66-fhwc-48m5",
"modified": "2026-01-14T00:31:27Z",
"published": "2026-01-14T00:31:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-50901"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50755"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/wondershare-drfone-dfwsidservice-unquoted-service-path"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.wondershare.com"
}
],
"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-WWWG-PJR9-FQW9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-21 00:01 – Updated: 2022-06-02 00:00HMA VPN v5.3.5913.0 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-26634"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-428"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-05-20T13:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "HMA VPN v5.3.5913.0 contains an unquoted service path which allows attackers to escalate privileges to the system level.",
"id": "GHSA-wwwg-pjr9-fqw9",
"modified": "2022-06-02T00:00:33Z",
"published": "2022-05-21T00:01:03Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-26634"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2022020111"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/50765"
}
],
"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.