LocalSystem code execution via unquoted service path
Published Jan 16, 2026 · Updated Jan 16, 2026
Unquoted service path handling in Gear Box Computers Wifi HotSpot 1.0.0.0 allows local users to execute code as LocalSystem. The WifiHotSpotSvc configuration registers C:\Program Files (x86)\WifiHotSpot\WifiHotSpotService.exe as an unquoted AUTO_START binary path despite its spaces. A low-privileged local user who can place an executable in a searched parent directory can have it launched at startup or reboot with LocalSystem privileges.
Summary
What happened
Unquoted service path handling in Gear Box Computers Wifi HotSpot 1.0.0.0 allows local users to execute code as LocalSystem. The WifiHotSpotSvc configuration registers C:\Program Files (x86)\WifiHotSpot\WifiHotSpotService.exe as an unquoted AUTO_START binary path despite its spaces. A low-privileged local user who can place an executable in a searched parent directory can have it launched at startup or reboot with LocalSystem privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-47833
- Published
- Jan 16, 2026
- Updated
- Jan 16, 2026
- Vendor
- Gear Box Computers
- Product
- Wifi HotSpot
- Classifications
- CWE-428, T1574.009
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 16, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jan 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=1.0.0.0
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
- WifiHotSpot 1.0.0.0 WifiHotSpotService.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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