LocalSystem code execution via unquoted service path
Published Jun 19, 2026 · Updated Jun 19, 2026
Privilege escalation in Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as LocalSystem during service startup. The RtkAudioService service registers an unquoted path to RtkAudioService64.exe, allowing Windows to select an attacker-planted executable before the intended binary. Exploitation requires a local low-privileged user who can write to a searched path location and wait for automatic service startup or a reboot.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55 allows local users to execute arbitrary code as LocalSystem during service startup. The RtkAudioService service registers an unquoted path to RtkAudioService64.exe, allowing Windows to select an attacker-planted executable before the intended binary. Exploitation requires a local low-privileged user who can write to a searched path location and wait for automatic service startup or a reboot.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2020-37252
- Published
- Jun 19, 2026
- Updated
- Jun 19, 2026
- Vendor
- Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
- Product
- Realtek Audio Service
- Classifications
- CWE-428, T1574.009
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jun 19, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jun 19, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=1.0.0.55
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55 RtkAudioService64.exe Unquoted Service Pathproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo