CVE-2020-36992CWE-428

Nord VPN-6.31.13.0 - 'nordvpn-service' Unquoted Service Path

High · published January 28, 2026

CVSS v4.0
8.5
EPSS
0%
Percentile
6.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ A sneaky unquoted service path is open for business! Nord VPN version 6.31.13.0 has a vulnerability that lets local attackers execute code with elevated privileges, just like leaving the front door unlocked for unwanted guests. 🔥 Think of it like a restaurant kitchen where the head chef forgot to label the ingredient shelves. An unscrupulous helper could substitute ingredients without anyone checking, just like an attacker could run malicious code if the service path isn't correctly specified. This vulnerability could be absolutely devastating: an attacker could gain LocalSystem permissions, meaning they could run any code they want. This could lead to total system compromise, affecting not only the VPN service but potentially the user's entire machine. Imagine the fallout if sensitive data was accessed or malicious activities were performed under your account!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant kitchen where the head chef forgot to label the ingredient shelves. An unscrupulous helper could substitute ingredients without anyone checking, just like an attacker could run malicious code if the service path isn't correctly specified. The unquoted service path vulnerability in Nord VPN allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code during system startup or reboot by exploiting the improperly defined path of the nordvpn-service. When the system tries to start this service, it might run code that an intruder has planted, thinking it’s the legitimate one.

What to do

This vulnerability could be absolutely devastating: an attacker could gain LocalSystem permissions, meaning they could run any code they want. This could lead to total system compromise, affecting not only the VPN service but potentially the user's entire machine. Imagine the fallout if sensitive data was accessed or malicious activities were performed under your account! To protect yourself, make sure to update Nord VPN to the latest version that addresses this flaw. Check your service paths to ensure they're correctly quoted, preventing unintended execution. Regular audits of service configurations will help maintain overall security! You've got this! With a few simple updates and checks, you can secure your system and keep the bad guys 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
0.00176 · 6.8th percentile
Weakness
CWE-428 · Unquoted Search Path or Element
Published
2026-01-28T12:29Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 28 JAN 12:29Z
    Nord VPN-6.31.13.0 - 'nordvpn-service' Unquoted Service Path
    cvelistv5