CVE-2016-20086 in StoreGrid
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2026
Vembu StoreGrid 4.0 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the RemoteBackup and RemoteBackup_webServer services that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the unquoted path and restart the service to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2026
The vulnerability in Vembu StoreGrid 4.0 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that stems from improper service path configuration within the Windows operating system environment. This issue affects the RemoteBackup and RemoteBackup_webServer services which are designed to handle backup operations for the StoreGrid platform. The vulnerability arises when service installation paths are not properly quoted, creating a dangerous condition where Windows attempts to execute binaries from parent directories if the exact path contains spaces or special characters.
This unquoted service path vulnerability fundamentally violates security best practices and falls under the CWE-428 category known as "Unquoted Service Path." The flaw occurs because the Windows service manager does not properly validate or quote service executable paths during installation, allowing attackers to place malicious executables in directories that are searched before the intended service location. When the service restarts or is triggered, the system executes the attacker-controlled binary instead of the legitimate service executable, resulting in arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly enables local attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to LocalSystem level, which provides complete control over the affected system. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond placing the malicious executable in the correct location, and the service restart can occur automatically during system maintenance or user activity. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1543.003 (Create or Modify System Process: Windows Service).
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate path correction through proper service installation procedures where all service paths are quoted during installation. System administrators must ensure that service paths containing spaces are properly enclosed in double quotes to prevent the exploitation vector. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can reduce the attack surface, while regular security auditing and monitoring of service configurations can help detect improper installations. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping software updated and following secure configuration practices for all system services, as this issue is preventable through proper installation procedures and adherence to security guidelines established by organizations such as the Center for Internet Security.