# CVE-2020-37223: IObit Uninstaller unquoted service path in IObitUnSvr

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-37223-iobit-uninstaller-unquoted-service-path-in-iobitunsvr  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-13. Updated: 2026-05-14  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-37223 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-05-13

IObit Uninstaller is a utility used to remove unwanted software and browser extensions from Windows systems. A security flaw in how the application registers its background service allows a local user with limited permissions to gain full administrative (SYSTEM) control of the computer. By placing a specially named file in a specific folder, an attacker can trick the system into running their malicious code instead of the legitimate IObit service, potentially leading to a total system takeover.

Technologies: [IObit Uninstaller](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/uninstaller). Vendors: [IObit](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/iobit).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-37223 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2020-37223 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2020-37223?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 13 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** IObit Uninstaller 9.5.0.15 and earlier.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-37223?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2020-37223 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-37223?** Check whether you run IObit Uninstaller at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

IObit Uninstaller 9.5.0.15 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability (CWE-428) within the 'IObitUnSvr' service (IObit Uninstaller Service). The service's binary path, 'C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\IObit Uninstaller\IUService.exe', is not enclosed in quotation marks. Because the path contains spaces, Windows will attempt to execute files at each space-delimited break point. A local attacker with write permissions to the 'C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\' directory can plant a malicious executable named 'IObit.exe'. Upon the next service restart or system reboot, the Service Control Manager will execute the attacker's file with SYSTEM privileges. This vulnerability requires local access and the ability to write to the parent directory of the installation.

## Affected products

- IObit Uninstaller 9.5.0.15 and earlier

## Timeline

- 2020-06-03: disclosed: Vulnerability discovered and exploit details documented by researcher Gobinathan L.
- 2026-05-13: advisory: NVD/VulnCheck published formal advisory details.

## References

- [https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48543](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48543)
- [https://www.iobit.com/](https://www.iobit.com/)
- [https://www.iobit.com/en/advanceduninstaller.php](https://www.iobit.com/en/advanceduninstaller.php)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/iobit-uninstaller-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/iobit-uninstaller-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation)

## Related threats

- [IOBit Uninstaller null pointer dereference in IOCTL handler](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-90485-iobit-uninstaller-null-pointer-dereference-in-ioctl-handler)
- [IObit Uninstaller privilege escalation in IOCTL handler](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-82670-iobit-uninstaller-privilege-escalation-in-ioctl-handler)