---
id: CVE-2016-20057
title: >-
  NETGATE Registry Cleaner build 16.0.205 contains an unquoted service path
  vulnerability in the NGRegClnSrv service that allows local attackers to
  escalate privileges by exploiting the service binary path
summary: >-
  NETGATE Registry Cleaner build 16.0.205 contains an unquoted service path
  vulnerability in the NGRegClnSrv service that allows local attackers to
  escalate privileges by exploiting the service binary path. Attackers can place
  a malicious …
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: netgate
product: registry_cleaner
affected:
  - registry_cleaner <= 16.0.205
published: '2026-04-04'
updated: '2026-07-21'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20057'
references:
  - url: 'http://www.netgate.sk/'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: 'http://www.netgate.sk/download/download.php?id=4'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: 'https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40539'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/netgate-registry-cleaner-build-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.00606
epssPercentile: 0.47378
ingestedAt: '2026-07-21T16:51:41.036Z'
---

## Overview

NETGATE Registry Cleaner build 16.0.205 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the NGRegClnSrv service that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by exploiting the service binary path. Attackers can place a malicious executable in the unquoted path and trigger service restart or system reboot to execute code with LocalSystem privileges.

## Affected

- `registry_cleaner <= 16.0.205`

## Remediation

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