# CVE-2020-37252: Realtek Audio Service unquoted service path in RtkAudioService64.exe

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-37252-realtek-audio-service-unquoted-service-path-in-rtkaudioservice64  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-19. Updated: 2026-06-21  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-37252 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-06-19

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.

Vendors: [Realtek](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/realtek).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-37252 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2020-37252 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2020-37252?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 19 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-37252?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2020-37252 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-37252?** Check whether you run Realtek Audio Service at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## 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

## References

- [https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49015](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49015)
- [https://www.realtek.com/en/](https://www.realtek.com/en/)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/realtek-audio-service-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/realtek-audio-service-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation)