Sunshine's unquoted executable path could lead to hijacked execution flow
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Physical
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-428.
Summary
Sunshine is a self-hosted game stream host for Moonlight. Users who ran Sunshine versions 0.17.0 through 0.22.2 as a service on Windows may be impacted when terminating the service if an attacked placed a file named `C:\Program.exe`, `C:\Program.bat`, or `C:\Program.cmd` on the user's computer. This attack vector isn't exploitable unless the user has manually loosened ACLs on the system drive. If the user's system locale is not English, then the name of the executable will likely vary. Version 0.23.0 contains a patch for the issue. Some workarounds are available. One may identify and block potentially malicious software executed path interception by using application control tools, like Windows Defender Application Control, AppLocker, or Software Restriction Policies where appropriate. Alternatively, ensure that proper permissions and directory access control are set to deny users the ability to write files to the top-level directory `C:`. Require that all executables be placed in write-protected directories.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LizardByte | Sunshine | 0.17.0 to before 0.23.0 | 0.23.0 | Patch available | CNA |
- Sunshine VendorLizardByte Affected 0.17.0 to before 0.23.0 Fixed in 0.23.0 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:lizardbyte:sunshine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 0.17.0 to before 0.23.0 | Vulnerable | LizardByte |
- cpe:2.3:a:lizardbyte:sunshine:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 0.17.0 to before 0.23.0 Vulnerable ·LizardByte
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Sunshine (LizardByte) Fixed in 0.23.0
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2024-31226
References
More LizardByte Sunshine vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-24782 Sunshine: Authentication bypass via improper client certificate validation CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-33924 SunshineService Has Unquoted Service Path That Allows Local SYSTEM Code Execution CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.0
- TI-2025-33088 Sunshine application-wide CSRF in the UI leads to command injection as Administrator CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.7
- TI-2024-34644 Sunshine improperly enforces pairing protocol request order CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.7
- TI-2025-09364 A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in LizardBytes' Sunshine for Windows CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2025-09363 LizardBytes Sunshine for Windows contains a DLL search-order hijacking vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences