---
id: CVE-2016-20085
title: >-
  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
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 …
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
published: '2026-06-19'
updated: '2026-09-29'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-29T10:10:00.263'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-20085'
references:
  - url: 'https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40587'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/realtek-high-definition-audio-driver-privilege-escalation
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.00168
epssPercentile: 0.05434
ingestedAt: '2026-09-29T10:31:36.293Z'
---

## Overview

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.

## Remediation

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