CVE-2021-47878
Published: 21 January 2026
Summary
CVE-2021-47878 is a high-severity Unquoted Search Path or Element (CWE-428) vulnerability in Server Web (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 8.5 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Path Interception by Unquoted Path (T1574.009); ranked at the 2.7th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 CM-6 (Configuration Settings) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2021-47878 is an unquoted service path vulnerability in the eBeam Device Service component of eBeam Education Suite version 2.5.0.9. This issue, mapped to CWE-428, stems from an improperly quoted executable path in the service configuration, enabling local users to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) and was published on 2026-01-21.
A local attacker with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability by placing a malicious executable in a directory that precedes the legitimate service binary in the system's path search order. During service startup, the Windows service control manager would execute the attacker's binary instead, running it with LocalSystem privileges and granting high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Relevant resources include an exploit published on Exploit-DB at https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49647, a VulnCheck advisory at https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ebeam-education-suite-ebeam-device-service-unquoted-service-path, and the vendor's download page at http://esvc000385.wic045u.server-web.com/Downloads/eBeam/. Security practitioners should review these for mitigation guidance, such as applying patches if available or implementing service path hardening.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-3614
Vulnerability details
eBeam Education Suite 2.5.0.9 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the eBeam Device Service that allows local users to potentially execute code with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit the unquoted path in the service configuration to inject malicious code…
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that would execute with LocalSystem privileges during service startup.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Unquoted service path (CWE-428) directly enables path interception by placing a malicious binary earlier in the search order, executed at service startup with LocalSystem privileges.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly remediates the unquoted service path flaw in the eBeam Device Service through patching or corrective action to prevent privilege escalation.
Enforces secure configuration settings for Windows services, requiring properly quoted executable paths to block path hijacking exploits.
Mitigates impact of service hijacking by restricting service accounts to least privilege instead of LocalSystem, limiting potential damage from elevated code execution.