---
id: CVE-2016-20059
title: >-
  IObit Malware Fighter 4.3.1 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in
  the IMFservice and LiveUpdateSvc services that allows local attackers to
  escalate privileges
summary: >-
  IObit Malware Fighter 4.3.1 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in
  the IMFservice and LiveUpdateSvc services that allows local attackers to
  escalate privileges. Attackers can insert a malicious executable file in the
  unquoted…
severity: high
cvss: 7.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-428
vendor: iobit
product: malware_fighter
affected:
  - malware_fighter <= 4.3.1
published: '2026-04-04'
updated: '2026-07-21'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20059'
references:
  - url: 'http://www.iobit.com/downloadcenter.php?product=malware-fighter-free'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: 'http://www.iobit.com/en/index.php'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: 'https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40525'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/iobit-malware-fighter-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.00176
epssPercentile: 0.07413
ingestedAt: '2026-07-21T16:51:41.360Z'
---

## Overview

IObit Malware Fighter 4.3.1 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the IMFservice and LiveUpdateSvc services that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can insert a malicious executable file in the unquoted service path and trigger privilege escalation when the service restarts or the system reboots, executing code with LocalSystem privileges.

## Affected

- `malware_fighter <= 4.3.1`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.