Detections
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CVE-2025-9491
medium
Description
Microsoft Windows LNK File UI Misrepresentation Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Microsoft Windows. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of .LNK files. Crafted data in an .LNK file can cause hazardous content in the file to be invisible to a user who inspects the file via the Windows-provided user interface. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Was ZDI-CAN-25373.
References
https://www.databreachtoday.com/unpatched-windows-flaw-boon-for-nation-state-hackers-a-29941
https://www.securityweek.com/chinese-apt-exploits-unpatched-windows-flaw-in-recent-attacks/
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/10/31/zdi-can-25373-cve-2025-9491-exploited-again/
https://thehackernews.com/2025/10/china-linked-hackers-exploit-windows.html
https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/30/suspected_chinese_snoops_abuse_unpatched/
Details
Published: 2025-08-26
Updated: 2025-11-05
Risk Information
CVSS v2
Base Score: 7.2
Vector: CVSS2#AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Severity: High
CVSS v3
Base Score: 7.8
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity: High
CVSS v4
Base Score: 4.6
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Severity: Medium
EPSS
EPSS: 0.00286
Vulnerability Watch
Tenable Research has classified this CVE under the following Vulnerability Watch classification, which includes active and historical (inactive) classifications. You can learn more about these classifications on our blog.
Vulnerability of Interest