CVE-2020-36986 Prey 1.9.6 - "CronService" Unquoted Service Path
Local attackers can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges by exploiting an unquoted service path in the Prey CronService.
- 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-2020-36986?
CVE-2020-36986 is a high-severity vulnerability in Preyproject Prey, 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
Prey 1.9.6 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in the CronService to insert malicious code that would execute during application startup or system reboot.
Weakness: CWE-428
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-36986?
How do I fix CVE-2020-36986?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-36986 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2020-36986 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-36986 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-5ww3-f86g-j763, UBUNTU-CVE-2020-36986.