Hotspot Shield 6.0.3 Unquoted Service Path Privilege Escalation
Published Apr 4, 2026 · Updated Oct 23, 2026
Original summary
Normalized public record · Updated Oct 23, 2026
Hotspot Shield 6.0.3 Unquoted Service Path Privilege Escalation
Publisher and source text is retained separately from QFinch interpretation.
QFinch assessment
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.
Evidence: public source recordsAffected products
| Affected package, product or range | Fix status |
|---|---|
| Consult the referenced vendor advisory for affected versions. | Consult source advisory |
Matching a version is only one part of assessing exposure. QFinch has not assessed your environment on this public page.
Remediation
Apply the vendor-supported fixed release or mitigation, then verify the affected component is no longer reachable.
- Confirm the affected product and reachable code path exist in your environment.
- Apply the vendor-supported patch or mitigation from the primary advisory.
- Rescan the exact deployed revision and retain verification evidence.
Evidence coverage
- SSVC priority
- MEDIUM
- Confidence
- 10%
- Aliases
- None reported
Scores appear only when corresponding evidence exists. Missing data is never interpreted as zero risk.
Sources and record history
- ExploitDB-40528 ↗
- Official Product Homepage ↗
- Product Reference ↗
- VulnCheck Advisory: Hotspot Shield 6.0.3 Unquoted Service Path Privilege Escalation ↗
Record history
Published Apr 4, 2026 · Last refreshed Oct 23, 2026