Privilege escalation in Microsoft Windows Process Activation

1) Link following

EUVDB-ID: #VU107196

Risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [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:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2025-21204

CWE-ID: CWE-59 - Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to insecure link following in Windows Process Activation. A local user can gain elevated privileges on the target system.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Windows Server: 2008 R2 SP1 - 2025 10.0.26100.3476

Windows: 10 21H2 10.0.19041.3920 - 11 24H2 10.0.26100.3476

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2008:6.0.6003.23168:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2012:6.2.9200.25368:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2016:10.0.14393.7876:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2019:10.0.17763.7009:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2022_23H2:10.0.25398.1486:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server:2025:10.0.26100.3476:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_21H2:10.0.19044.5608:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_22H2:10.0.19045.5608:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_1607:10.0.14393.7876:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:10_1809:10.0.17763.7009:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2025-21204

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.