Executive brief
Realtek Audio Service, a software component responsible for managing audio hardware on Windows systems, contains a security flaw in how it handles its internal file paths. A local user with limited access to the computer could exploit this to run their own malicious programs with the highest possible system permissions (LocalSystem). This could lead to a full takeover of the machine, allowing an attacker to bypass security controls or access sensitive data.
Technical details
A vulnerability exists in Realtek Audio Service version 1.0.0.55 due to an unquoted service path (CWE-428) in the RtkAudioService64.exe executable. The service path contains spaces and is not enclosed in quotation marks, which allows a local attacker with write permissions to the parent directories (such as C:\) to place a malicious executable (e.g., C:\Program.exe). Because the service runs with LocalSystem privileges, the malicious code will be executed with elevated permissions during the next system reboot or service startup. This is a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability requiring local access but no user interaction.
Affected products
- Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55
Timeline
- 2020-11-07: disclosed: Vulnerability discovered by Erika Figueroa
- 2020-11-09: other: Exploit published on Exploit-DB
- 2026-06-19: advisory: NVD/VulnCheck advisory published