Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a local privilege escalation issue in Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55. A user who already has local access could abuse an incorrectly quoted Windows service path so attacker-controlled code runs as LocalSystem when the service starts or the system reboots.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority where affected endpoints support multiple users or untrusted local access. It is less urgent than remote code execution, but LocalSystem escalation can turn a limited workstation compromise into full device control.
Technical view
CVE-2020-37252 is a CWE-428 unquoted service path vulnerability in RtkAudioService64.exe. The CVSS 4.0 score is 8.5. The described impact is arbitrary code execution with LocalSystem privileges after placing executable content in the unquoted service path location.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to systems running Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55. The bundle does not list CPEs or broader affected driver packages, so teams should verify installed service versions rather than assume all Realtek audio deployments are affected.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the bundle, so active exploitation is not established here. ExploitDB is cited as an exploit reference, which means public exploit information exists. The weakness requires local privileges, not remote unauthenticated access.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports local privilege escalation through CWE-428 in RtkAudioService64.exe. The bundle names version 1.0.0.55 only and does not provide a vendor advisory, fixed version, or KEV confirmation. Avoid expanding scope beyond confirmed service/version data.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory endpoints for Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55.
- Check Realtek or OEM guidance for fixed driver or service packages.
- Restrict write permissions on directories in the service path.
- Remove unexpected executables from service path parent directories.
- Prioritize remediation on shared, kiosk, and multi-user Windows systems.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether RtkAudioService64.exe is installed and its service version is 1.0.0.55.
- Review the Windows service ImagePath for unquoted paths with spaces.
- Check permissions on each writable directory in the service path hierarchy.
- Look for suspicious executable files in service path parent directories.
- Retest after update or configuration correction.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-428: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-37252 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.5 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: 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
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
2 official scoresWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
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——VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9VulnCheckVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
8.5HighVector: 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
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-49015CVE reference, VulnCheck · exploit
- Official Product HomepageCVE reference, VulnCheck · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: Realtek Audio Service 1.0.0.55 Unquoted Service Path Privilege EscalationCVE reference, VulnCheck · third-party-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Unquoted Search Path or Element
Unquoted Search Path or Element represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.