Cloud Vulnerability DB
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Vulnerability DatabaseCVE-2025-21418
CVE-2025-21418:
vulnerability analysis and mitigation
Overview
CVE-2025-21418 is a Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock Elevation of Privilege (EoP) vulnerability discovered in February 2025. This vulnerability affects various versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems and was confirmed to be exploited in the wild. The vulnerability received a CVSSv3 score of 7.8 and is rated as important (NVD, Tenable).
Technical details
The vulnerability exists in the Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock component of Microsoft Windows. A local, authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level. This represents the ninth Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock EoP vulnerability patched since 2022, with three occurrences each in 2022, 2023, and 2024 (Tenable).
Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an authenticated local attacker to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM level, effectively gaining complete control over the affected system (Tenable).
Mitigation and workarounds
CISA has established a due date of March 4, 2025, for Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to apply vendor-provided patches. Organizations are strongly urged to prioritize timely remediation of this vulnerability as part of their vulnerability management practice (CISA).
Additional resources
Source: This report was generated using AI
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