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Vulnerability record · CVE-2016-20060 · published 4 April 2026

CVE-2016-20060: Unquoted search path vulnerability

Hotspot Shield 6.0.3 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the hshld service binary that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by injecting malicious executables. Attackers can place executable files in the service path and upon service restart or system reboot, the malicious code executes with LocalSystem privileges.

8.5 CVSS 4.0 High EPSS 0.15% · top 96.4% CWE-428 · Unquoted search path Deferred
8.5CVSS 4.0 base score
0.15%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
0Affected product versions listed by NVD
4References
20 Jul 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

Hotspot Shield 6.0.3 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the hshld service binary that allows local attackers to escalate privileges by injecting malicious executables. Attackers can place executable files in the service path and upon service restart or system reboot, the malicious code executes with LocalSystem privileges.

CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:

References

LinkTags
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40528
https://www.hotspotshield.com
https://www.hotspotshield.com/download/
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/hotspot-shield-unquoted-service-path-privilege-escalation

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2016-20060), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.