CVE-2025-48799
Microsoft Windows 10 1607 ≤ 10.0.14393.8246
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
CVE-2025-48799 is a high-severity Link Following (CWE-59) vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 10 1607. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Path Interception (T1034); ranked in the top 39% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to AC-3 (Access Enforcement) and AC-6 (Least Privilege) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2025-48799 is a link-following vulnerability (CWE-59) in the Windows Update Service that stems from improper resolution of symbolic links before file access. The flaw affects the Windows Update Service component and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, reflecting local attack vector, low complexity, and privileges required only at the authorized-user level.
An attacker who already possesses a local account on an affected Windows system can exploit the issue by supplying a crafted link that the service follows during update operations. Successful exploitation grants the attacker the ability to elevate privileges, resulting in full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the host.
Microsoft’s security update guide for CVE-2025-48799 provides the authoritative source for patch availability and remediation steps. Third-party resources also publish detection and mitigation scripts that practitioners can use to identify unpatched systems and apply temporary controls until official updates are deployed. The associated EPSS scores remain low, with a current value of 0.0289 and a peak of 0.0307, indicating no material increase in observed exploitation interest after disclosure.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-20603
Vulnerability Data
Improper link resolution before file access ('link following') in Windows Update Service allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges locally.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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V15.4.2
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Proper enforcement of access authorizations on the resolved target resource stops a link from reaching an unintended object.
Least-privilege limits the damage an attacker can cause after following an unintended link.
Validating file-name inputs can reject or canonicalize names that resolve to links before access occurs.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Secure SDLC practices directly require code to validate paths and avoid unsafe link following.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing can detect link-following flaws before release.
Secure SDLC practices can mandate link-resolution checks and canonicalization before file access.
Application security requirements can explicitly require safe handling of symbolic links and path traversal.
Secure architecture principles include input validation and safe file-access design patterns.
Secure coding standards directly address canonicalization and symlink attacks during implementation.
Access-control rules can limit which files are reachable, reducing exposure to malicious links.