Local SYSTEM execution via unquoted service path
Published Feb 3, 2026 · Updated Feb 3, 2026
An unquoted service path in AnyDesk 5.4.0 for Windows allows local users to execute code as SYSTEM through its service configuration. The Windows service leaves a space-containing executable path unquoted, allowing service startup to select an attacker-placed executable before the intended AnyDesk binary. A local low-privileged user must place a malicious executable in a searched parent location and wait for the LocalSystem service to start.
Summary
What happened
An unquoted service path in AnyDesk 5.4.0 for Windows allows local users to execute code as SYSTEM through its service configuration. The Windows service leaves a space-containing executable path unquoted, allowing service startup to select an attacker-placed executable before the intended AnyDesk binary. A local low-privileged user must place a malicious executable in a searched parent location and wait for the LocalSystem service to start.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2019-25261
- Published
- Feb 3, 2026
- Updated
- Feb 3, 2026
- Vendor
- AnyDesk Software GmbH
- Product
- AnyDesk
- Classifications
- CWE-428, T1574.009
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 3, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 3, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=5.4.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- AnyDesk 5.4.0 - Unquoted Service Pathproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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