CVE-2020-36986CWE-428

Prey 1.9.6 - "CronService" Unquoted Service Path

High · published January 28, 2026

CVSS v4.0
8.5
EPSS
0%
Percentile
6.9
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ The unquoted service path vulnerability in Prey 1.9.6 is like leaving your front door wide open — local users could stroll right in and execute malicious code! 🔥 Think of this vulnerability as a poorly labeled toolbox in a workshop. If you don't specify where the necessary tools are, someone could grab the wrong one and cause a real mess — in this case, malicious code sneaking in when the service starts or the system reboots. An attacker with local access could potentially execute code with elevated privileges, giving them control over the system. This could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and a complete compromise of the affected environment — absolutely devastating for security!

Put simply

Think of this vulnerability as a poorly labeled toolbox in a workshop. If you don't specify where the necessary tools are, someone could grab the wrong one and cause a real mess — in this case, malicious code sneaking in when the service starts or the system reboots. This vulnerability arises from an unquoted service path in the CronService, allowing local users to insert malicious code into the service's startup sequence without proper checks.

What to do

An attacker with local access could potentially execute code with elevated privileges, giving them control over the system. This could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and a complete compromise of the affected environment — absolutely devastating for security! To mitigate this risk, ensure that all service paths are correctly quoted and develop a strategy for regularly auditing services for similar vulnerabilities. It's crucial to update to a secure version if available and monitor local user access closely. You've got this! With the right actions, you can secure your systems and keep those unwanted guests out! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v4.0
8.5 · HIGH
Vector
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
EPSS
0.00177 · 6.9th percentile
Weakness
CWE-428 · Unquoted Search Path or Element
Published
2026-01-28T12:28Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 28 JAN 12:28Z
    Prey 1.9.6 - "CronService" Unquoted Service Path
    cvelistv5