LocalSystem code execution via unquoted service path
Published May 16, 2026 · Updated May 16, 2026
Unquoted service path in Cybertron Software Privacy Drive 3.17.0 allows local users to execute code with LocalSystem privileges. The PDSvc configuration starts pdsvc.exe from an unquoted C:\Program Files (x86)\Cybertron\Privacy Drive path, so Windows can select an attacker-placed executable from an earlier path segment. A local low-privileged user needs write access to a searched directory and service startup or a reboot to gain LocalSystem code execution.
Summary
What happened
Unquoted service path in Cybertron Software Privacy Drive 3.17.0 allows local users to execute code with LocalSystem privileges. The PDSvc configuration starts pdsvc.exe from an unquoted C:\Program Files (x86)\Cybertron\Privacy Drive path, so Windows can select an attacker-placed executable from an earlier path segment. A local low-privileged user needs write access to a searched directory and service startup or a reboot to gain LocalSystem code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2020-37231
- Published
- May 16, 2026
- Updated
- May 16, 2026
- Vendor
- Cybertron Software
- Product
- Privacy Drive
- Classifications
- CWE-428, T1574.009
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 16, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 16, 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=3.17.0 Build 1456
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
- Privacy Drive v3.17.0 - pdsvc.exe Unquoted Service Pathproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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