CVE-2020-37251 RealTimes Desktop Service 18.1.4 Unquoted Service Path Privilege Escalation
Local attackers can escalate privileges to LocalSystem by placing malicious executables in unquoted service path directories during startup.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2020-37251?
CVE-2020-37251 is a high-severity vulnerability in RealTimes Desktop Service, published on 19 Jun 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
RealTimes Desktop Service 18.1.4 contains an unquoted service path vulnerability in the rpdsvc.exe binary that allows local attackers to escalate privileges. Attackers can place malicious executables in unquoted path directories to execute arbitrary code with LocalSystem privileges during service startup or system reboot.
Weakness: CWE-428
Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-37251?
How do I fix CVE-2020-37251?
No fix has been published for CVE-2020-37251 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2020-37251 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-37251 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-m54c-47fq-9p83.