CVE-2016-20085 (GCVE-0-2016-20085)

Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-06-19 14:16 – Updated: 2026-06-19 14:16
VLAI
Title
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver 6.0.1.6730 Privilege Escalation
Summary
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver 6.0.1.6730 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by placing a malicious executable in the service path. Attackers can insert an executable file in the unquoted path and restart the service to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.
Severity
8.5 (High)
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
7.8 (High)
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE
  • CWE-428 - Unquoted Search Path or Element
Assigner
References
Impacted products
Date Public
2016-10-19 00:00
Credits
Joey Lane
Show details on NVD website
To clipboard 

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      "affected": [
        {
          "product": "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver",
          "vendor": "Realtek",
          "versions": [
            {
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              "version": "6.0.1.6730"
            }
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        }
      ],
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          "type": "finder",
          "value": "Joey Lane"
        }
      ],
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          "value": "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver 6.0.1.6730 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by placing a malicious executable in the service path. Attackers can insert an executable file in the unquoted path and restart the service to execute code with LocalSystem privileges."
        }
      ],
      "metrics": [
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            "Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "Safety": "NOT_DEFINED",
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            "attackRequirements": "NONE",
            "attackVector": "LOCAL",
            "baseScore": 8.5,
            "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
            "exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "privilegesRequired": "LOW",
            "providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE",
            "subConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
            "subIntegrityImpact": "NONE",
            "userInteraction": "NONE",
            "valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED",
            "vectorString": "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",
            "version": "4.0",
            "vulnAvailabilityImpact": "HIGH",
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            "vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED"
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            "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
            "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
            "privilegesRequired": "LOW",
            "scope": "UNCHANGED",
            "userInteraction": "NONE",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
            "version": "3.1"
          },
          "format": "CVSS"
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      "problemTypes": [
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
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              "description": "Unquoted Search Path or Element",
              "lang": "en",
              "type": "CWE"
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      "providerMetadata": {
        "dateUpdated": "2026-06-19T14:16:41.065Z",
        "orgId": "83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10",
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      "references": [
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          "name": "ExploitDB-40587",
          "tags": [
            "exploit"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40587"
        },
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          "tags": [
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      "title": "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver 6.0.1.6730 Privilege Escalation",
      "x_generator": {
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  "cveMetadata": {
    "assignerOrgId": "83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10",
    "assignerShortName": "VulnCheck",
    "cveId": "CVE-2016-20085",
    "datePublished": "2026-06-19T14:16:41.065Z",
    "dateReserved": "2026-06-19T13:13:17.950Z",
    "dateUpdated": "2026-06-19T14:16:41.065Z",
    "state": "PUBLISHED"
  },
  "dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
  "dataVersion": "5.2"
}


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Sightings

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Nomenclature

  • Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
  • Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
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  • Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
  • Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.


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