Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2016-20060?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2016-20060. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 0.0%.

Hotspot Shield CVE-2016-20060

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-20060?

CVE-2016-20060 has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.5 (High). CVSS 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/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:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.0%.

EUVD-2016-10869 HIGH

Unquoted Search Path or Element (CWE-428)

2026-04-04 VulnCheck

GHSA-j3qp-cj94-pmj3

Privilege Escalation Hotspot Shield

8.5

CVSS 4.0 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

8.5 HIGH

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:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

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:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Lifecycle Timeline

PoC Detected

Apr 07, 2026 - 13:20 vuln.today

Public exploit code

EUVD ID Assigned

Apr 04, 2026 - 14:00 euvd

EUVD-2016-10869

CVE Published

Apr 04, 2026 - 13:51 nvd

HIGH 8.5

DescriptionCVE.org

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.

AnalysisAI

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. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

Technical ContextAI

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-428. 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. Affected products include: Hotspotshield Hotspot Shield.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.