CVE-2020-36985 IP Watcher v3.0.0.30 - 'PACService.exe' Unquoted Service Path
Local attackers can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by exploiting an unquoted service path in IP Watcher.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2020-36985?
CVE-2020-36985 is a high-severity vulnerability in Gearboxcomputers IP Watcher, published on 28 Jan 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
IP Watcher 3.0.0.30 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in its Windows service configuration that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code. Attackers can exploit the unquoted binary path to inject malicious executables that will be launched with elevated LocalSystem privileges during service startup.
Weakness: CWE-428
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-36985?
How do I fix CVE-2020-36985?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-36985 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2020-36985 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-36985 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-pg54-vgm7-p44x.