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TI-2016-09236 Aliases CVE-2016-20060GHSA-j3qp-cj94-pmj3

Hotspot Shield 6.0.3 Unquoted Service Path Privilege Escalation

Priority HIGH 72CWE-428Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Attack requirements
None
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
No fix listed

Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-428.

Summary

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.

Why it matters now

Exploitation Proof of concept CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00154 4th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by the CNA
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
Poc
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
Hotspot ShieldHotspot Shield6.0.3—No fix listedCNA
  • Hotspot Shield VendorHotspot Shield Affected 6.0.3 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

Remediation

No fixed version listed by the sources yet.

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2016-20060
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-j3qp-cj94-pmj3

References

Exploit 1

Other 2

  • TI-2025-27178 Host Header Injection (HHI) in the Hotspot Shield VPN client CVSS 4.0LOW 2.3

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences