System-level code execution via unquoted service path
Published Jan 15, 2026 · Updated Jan 15, 2026
Unquoted service path handling in Brother BRAgent 1.38 allows local users to execute code with LocalSystem privileges. The WBA_Agent_Client service registers C:\Program Files (x86)\Brother\BRAgent\BRAgtSrv.exe without quotation marks, so Windows can select an attacker-planted executable from a preceding path segment when the service starts. Low-privileged local access and permission to place an executable in a searched path location are required; successful exploitation grants system-level code execution.
Summary
What happened
Unquoted service path handling in Brother BRAgent 1.38 allows local users to execute code with LocalSystem privileges. The WBA_Agent_Client service registers C:\Program Files (x86)\Brother\BRAgent\BRAgtSrv.exe without quotation marks, so Windows can select an attacker-planted executable from a preceding path segment when the service starts. Low-privileged local access and permission to place an executable in a searched path location are required; successful exploitation grants system-level code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2020-36928
- Published
- Jan 15, 2026
- Updated
- Jan 15, 2026
- Vendor
- Brother Industries, Ltd.
- Product
- BRAgent
- Classifications
- CWE-428, T1574.009
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jan 15, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=1.38
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
- Brother BRAgent 1.38 WBA_Agent_Client Unquoted Service Pathproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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